Being a song of Asaph, the historical setting -- north and south kingdoms of Israel as it then was, suppression by foreign powers, dissension between the twelve tribes, a 'bowl of tears to drink' -- is the backdrop to Psalm 80. Bells at Taizé village This might not mean much to the modern day listener. … Continue reading Psalm 80, 29 Nov 20
Tag: faith
Psalm 90, 25 Oct ’20
This first song in Book IV of the Psalter is the only one said to be by Moses. If so, his experiences of leading desperate people through the wilderness, ultimately reaching but not entering the promised land, added fervour. Authorship is not a major consideration in the singing and receiving of the resultant psalm each … Continue reading Psalm 90, 25 Oct ’20
Psalm 105(3), 30 August 2020
In this third occurrence of Psalm 105, after the first six verses we then move on to hear the experiences of Jacob and the descendants of Abraham as slaves and refugees in Egypt. 23 Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham. 24 And the Lord made his people very fruitful, and … Continue reading Psalm 105(3), 30 August 2020
Psalm 105, a frequent visitor
Sing praises to God; tell of wondrous works.Psalm 105:2 Can Psalm 105 really be called a frequent visitor when it appears in Year A alone in the three-year Lectionary cycle? That seems a long time between drinks. Well, it makes up for its long absence by rocking up on four Sundays over the space of … Continue reading Psalm 105, a frequent visitor
Psalm 117; coda to 116
Having spent time in Psalm 116 this week, take a moment to consider the little psalm which follows. At two whole verses, Psalm 117 is the shortest poem in the bible. A little further on waits 119, the longest chapter in the Bible at 22 sections of eight verses each. Two verses may not have … Continue reading Psalm 117; coda to 116
Psalm 138, 10 June 2018
Verse 1 in this psalm of praise imagines God sitting supreme in the company of other gods and lesser heavenly beings. Literal or figurative, the sketch has the potential for a "head-of-a-pin" side track about angels and gods. So concentrate on the remaining message -- essentially that we should adhere to ("bow towards the holy … Continue reading Psalm 138, 10 June 2018
Psalm 105, 30 Jul 17
Psalm 105 is a song of praise, as indeed are 106 and 107 that follow. The opening lines sound familiar, as such phrases occur throughout the Bible: Confitemini Domino et invocate nomen ejus / Give glory to God, and call upon his name The next verse narrows the focus to set the theme as historical … Continue reading Psalm 105, 30 Jul 17
Psalm 119
Note: This post re-introduces the longest psalm, sections of which arise in the next two weeks. Subsequent posts will look more closely at sections as they appear in the Lectionary, starting with Aleph then He on the following Sunday. Psalm 119 has at its heart the 'law', or the premises principles, and promises of God. At 176 … Continue reading Psalm 119
Psalm 100, 23 Nov 14
Psalm 100 simply invites us to be joyful and worship with glad singing (vv. 1, 2). A short psalm, it mingles declarations of faith with calls to: enter the gates with thanksgiving, and the courts with praise (v.4) The old ton(e) The Old Hundredth will no doubt come to mind for anyone over a certain age who grew … Continue reading Psalm 100, 23 Nov 14
