This is the first of a group of fifteen psalms from 120 to 134 called the Songs of Ascent. Most of them are quite short, between 5 and 8 verses; one (132) is longer but is surrounded (131, 133, 134) by poems of just three verses each. Originating perhaps as pilgrim songs, they are sometimes … Continue reading Psalm 120, Ascents
Psalm 117
Psalm 117 is a surprise on several counts. Short and sweet First, as the shortest psalm in the bible, it consists of but two verses -- and just two songs later the longest psalm 119 sports 176 verses! These two verses are nevertheless important ones, presenting statements of the universality of all peoples or nations, and … Continue reading Psalm 117
Psalm 80, 14 August 2016
Psalm 80 (selected text here>) makes a relatively frequent appearance in the Revised Common Lectionary. It is listed in all three years, sometimes twice, and has been thrice discussed in this blog already -- see entries in the Index Book 3 page. (The alternative reading is Psalm 82, which I described in a recent blog as 'fundamental teaching … Continue reading Psalm 80, 14 August 2016
Psalm 39
Psalm 39 is a song reflecting on the short span of life -- 'a few hand-breadths ... a mere breath'. (verse 5) It is not formally included, as is the preceding Psalm 38, in the list of seven penitential psalms. (Neither 38 nor 39 make it into the Lectionary.) 39 could well qualify, however, as one of … Continue reading Psalm 39
Psalm 35
Psalm 35 has been omitted from the lectionary, probably as a 'special interest' poem -- in this case for those who have been slandered or victim of deceit and such injustices. Hopefully most readers will not suffer such pain too often and may not identify with the psalmist and the song; but it does happen. … Continue reading Psalm 35
Psalms 33 and 50
Giving due precedence to the set psalm, the title above should read 'Psalms 50 and 33'. However, you can read about 50 in a blog in February 2015. This post looks more at 33 which has not been covered previously. This is a song of praise, one of the few in the first two books of the psalter. It … Continue reading Psalms 33 and 50
Psalms 107 and 49, 31 July 2016
Psalm 107 (we read the first nine verses with 43 tacked on the end) recalls the gathering in from all points of the compass of a fragmented and wandering people, hungry and thirsty, into safety under the 'steadfast love' of the divine hand. It's likely that the catalyst was originally the deliverance of the Israelites … Continue reading Psalms 107 and 49, 31 July 2016
Psalm 60
It was the washbasin that put me onto it. I realised of course that there is quite a lot of repetition in the psalms - asking God to defend, save and vanquish evil, 'for human help is worthless' as in this song (Ps 60:11). But you immediately know you've been there before when you read … Continue reading Psalm 60
Psalm 52, 17 July 2016
Psalm 52 is another of those songs that can sound vindictive and unforgiving when encountered outside its historical setting. Fortunately, the preamble refers to Doeg and Saul, thereby providing the requisite clues. Doeg is not, one has to admit, a big name in biblical tales. A devious fellow, it seems, which is what got David … Continue reading Psalm 52, 17 July 2016
Psalm 82, 10 July 16
Psalm 82 is fundamental teaching on the importance of justice in the world. God is imagined amongst other gods berating them for their partiality as unfair judges: Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of … Continue reading Psalm 82, 10 July 16
Psalms in the South 