Psalm 15 (text here>) this week, probably used as an introit or gradual, asks who may dwell in God’s ‘tent’ or ‘holy hill’. The remaining verses provide a checklist of rather challenging qualifiers, from the grand ‘live blameless’ to the nitty-gritty of ‘take no bribes’. The challenge is really encouraging the reader continually to seek to connect with sources of divine presence … Continue reading Psalm 15, 29 Jan 17
Tag: blues
Psalms 76, 77, 26 June 16
Psalm 76 makes a strong plea for a peaceable world where divine power and justice are the forces to be revered. In the city of God: ... God broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword and the weapons of war ... none of the warriors can lift a hand. (v.3, 5) Just as we saw … Continue reading Psalms 76, 77, 26 June 16
Psalms 87, 88
Here are a couple of very contrasting songs: one looking out happily to 'Zion'; the other lamenting, no silver lining. Both are 'skips' in the Lectionary but should not be ignored -- and indeed are not by those traditions that regularly sing all of the psalms within a short period of a month or so. Psalm 87 Glorious … Continue reading Psalms 87, 88
Psalm 73, Asaph
Book 3 of the psalter (73 to 89) opens with eleven psalms of Asaph, a temple musician referred to in Chronicles. The first five do not appear in the lectionary. Asaph I warm to Asaph. Admittedly, we don't really know for sure who he was. Probably a musician and official in the temple during the reign on … Continue reading Psalm 73, Asaph
Psalm 91, 14 Feb 2016
The devil took Jesus to a high place and said: "Jump! You'll be fine... ... it is written, 'God will command the angels to protect you; on their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' (Luke 4:9-11) Psalm 91 is where it is written. That is why this is … Continue reading Psalm 91, 14 Feb 2016
Psalm 14 or 145, 26 July 2015
Some psalms are decidedly dark. Here's Psalm 14, which tells us about widespread foolishness, corruption and evil (as if we don't know -- and that hot on the heels of the companion Samuel reading bringing us the Great Psalmist's wicked trick on Uriah, to say nothing of the daily news). It's easy to duck these ones and look for a … Continue reading Psalm 14 or 145, 26 July 2015
Psalm 98, 10 Nov 13
It's easy to pick a good verse for the antiphon this week. Verse 1 says: Sing a new song to God, who has done marvellous things. We are to be blessed on Sunday 10 November with another visit by The Gospel Folk, ably directed by Brian. For their last visit over a year ago now, … Continue reading Psalm 98, 10 Nov 13
Psalms in the South 