We find early in this song an echo of Psalm 1. The writer, thought to be David, declares his innocence and refuses to 'sit with the wicked' (v. 5). He offers a prayer for justice and confirmation of sticking to the 'right way' -- that powerful word 'integrity' occurs at beginning and end in some translations. Psalm 1 … Continue reading Psalm 26
Tag: David
Psalm 103, 21 Aug 16
Note. The primary reading for this Sunday is Psalm 71:1-6. Please see the relevant post here>. The secondary readings include Psalm 103, said to be 'of David'. This song is a well-rounded tour of all the ingredients for worship -- praise, why we are blessed despite the brevity of human life, and the kindness inherent in … Continue reading Psalm 103, 21 Aug 16
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
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 144, a gross skip
While we have the bookmark at Psalm 148 for 24 April 2016, let's pick up Psalm 144 (text>), the nearest 'skip' or omission from the Revised Common Lectionary. Gross? Young readers, if any, may not realise that way back in pre-metric times (excuse me Americans), 144 or a dozen dozen was called a gross. [Quiz … Continue reading Psalm 144, a gross skip
Psalms 11 and 12, skips
Dig and delve I got away with discussing Psalms 9 and 10 together because they are really part of one psalm (see relevant post here>). No such excuse for 11 and 12 (also skips) but let's dig and delve briefly in both anyway; they are both attributed to David and have similar statements of trust in divine inspiration, … Continue reading Psalms 11 and 12, skips
Psalms 9 and 10, skips
Psalm 10 never makes it into the weekly Lectionary readings, but 9 just sneaks in: "Year B, ordinary time, June 19-25 (if after Trinity)". Sounds iffy indeed. But still, 9 does not qualify as a 'skip'. So on to 10. But wait! In the early Septuagint translation and the original Hebrew, these two songs were one. (1) … Continue reading Psalms 9 and 10, skips
Psalm 7
First, many thanks to our women who provided such beautiful singing and leadership in Psalm 30 on 10 April. A confident and inspiring crafting of words and flow of music liberate listeners to follow and respond to the narrative and spirit of the song. Next Sunday, that old favourite the Shepherd Psalm -- El Señor es mi Pastor. Iris reads the … Continue reading Psalm 7
Psalms in the South 