Image: Wikicommons The second acrostic in the Psalter (in Hebrew at least), the 22 verses of Psalm 25 neatly fit the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This week we hear the first ten verses, in which David turns his eyes firmly to a benevolent, but justly balanced, God. Here, David apparently shares none of our … Continue reading Psalm 25, 21 Feb 21
Tag: guidance
Psalm 139, 17 Jan 2021
Where can I go from your spirit? (7) This extended lyrical song of praise to a pervasive divine spirit who knows us intimately -- "for it was you who formed me; I am fearfully and wonderfully made" -- also seeks justice and guidance in the ways of truth: Search me O God, and know my … Continue reading Psalm 139, 17 Jan 2021
Psalm 1, 13 May 18
The first Psalm is well placed as an introduction to the grand themes of the whole Psalter. It urges us to follow a life-style and consciousness reaching for the highest divine standards, revealed throughout the psalms as centring on love, justice and equity. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked … Continue reading Psalm 1, 13 May 18
Psalm 25, 18 Feb ’18
This song arises on the first Sunday in Lent (in Year B). The reader will find no sack-cloth and ashes, lamentation or the parched airs of the wilderness. Of course, the psalmist was writing long before church administrations established traditions such as Lent. However, someone chose to pop this poem into the Lectionary in this … Continue reading Psalm 25, 18 Feb ’18
Psalm 19
'The statutes of God are just and rejoice the heart' (6) Psalm 19 declares the glory of the divine as seen in the creation. It smoothly progresses to how this declares the presence and influence of the creator, specifically the theme of the similarly-numbered Psalm 119, the importance of divine guidance to humankind — the … Continue reading Psalm 19
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 116, 18 Jun 17
Nutty Numbers ... Here is one of those confusing points of discontinuity between the numbering of the Latin Vulgate Psalter and the modern western translations. 114 and 115 were combined into what is now 116 in our Psalter. This explains why some Ps 116 settings over the years are listed as quoting from Psalms 114 and … Continue reading Psalm 116, 18 Jun 17
Psalm 112, 5 Feb 17
Light rises in darkness when justice rules our lives. During a yacht delivery through the Barrier Reef a while ago, an overnight anchored in a remote cove was a welcome break. A refreshing sleep rocked by the movements of the boat in wind, wave and tide was a perfect precursor to a pre-dawn start. With anchor a-weigh, still dripping … Continue reading Psalm 112, 5 Feb 17
Psalm 67, 1 May 2016
May Day has relatively recently become a day for the workers. Originally it just celebrated the coming of the northern hemisphere spring, bonfires at the end of April, singing and dancing. Such revelry is somewhat akin to what we have been hearing over several recent psalms -- relief from the winter of oppression and conflict, safety after threat, peace after conflict. Psalm … Continue reading Psalm 67, 1 May 2016
Psalms 89 or 23 … or maybe 139, 19Jul15
The Vanderbilt Divinity Library tells us: During the Season after Pentecost, the Revised Common Lectionary offers two sets of parallel readings: The first set of "semicontinuous" OT readings follows major stories/themes, beginning in Year A with Genesis and ending in Year C with the later prophets. "Complementary" OT readings follow the historical tradition of thematically pairing … Continue reading Psalms 89 or 23 … or maybe 139, 19Jul15
Psalms in the South 