If you read last week's entry on Psalm 106 you will know that, for this author, justice and equity are foundational themes, if not prominent ones, in this psalm and many others. As in 106, the psalmist in the first few lines declares the greatness and goodness of the divine creative spirit. Then Psalm 99 … Continue reading Psalm 99, 18 Oct ’20
Tag: equity
Psalm 45, 5 July 20
A female presence flows through the readings for this Sunday 5 July. First in Genesis is the record of how Rebekah stepped out in faith to meet an unknown Isaac. Psalm 45 is a song to a king and his bride. And from the Song of Solomon we hear: My beloved speaks and says to … Continue reading Psalm 45, 5 July 20
Psalm 111, 28 Jan 18
Psalm 111 is a song of praise in honour of the creative divine spirit whose very nature and deeds are awash in high standards of justice and goodness, "wrought in truth and equity".(8) These important attributes -- standing out like sustaining pillars throughout the Psalter and thus much remarked upon in this blog, much desired … Continue reading Psalm 111, 28 Jan 18
Psalm 99, 22 Oct ’17
'O mighty ruler, lover of justice, you have established equity.' (v. 4) At last, Psalm 99! This is worth waiting for. The verse quoted above with its key words of ‘justice’ and ‘equity’ is one of the most vital and important statements in the Psalter. It says that justice and equity are pillars of creation, … Continue reading Psalm 99, 22 Oct ’17
Psalm 78, 1 Oct ’17
'With upright heart God tended them, guided them.' (72) This long psalm of Asaph in 72 verses covers many of the high points in the Torah, including the plagues and the exodus, subsequent trials and the calling of King David, great tales also to be found in Psalm 114 and elsewhere. Psalm 78 is a … Continue reading Psalm 78, 1 Oct ’17
Psalm 133, 20 Aug 17
How good and how pleasant it is when kindred live together in harmony. That’s it, folks; the message of this psalm in a nutshell -- or as an immigrant friend used to say unawares: “... in a nutcase.” Like most of the psalms of ascent, it’s short and sweet. There are a couple of images … Continue reading Psalm 133, 20 Aug 17
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
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
Psalm 146, 5 June 2016
An article in the local paper today tells me that polls -- in Australia at least, though I do not doubt that readers in other countries will nod in agreement -- are revealing a loss of confidence in governance. Part of that is due to perceived weaknesses in both national leaders and opposing aspirants. People are, in this … Continue reading Psalm 146, 5 June 2016
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
Psalms in the South 