At last, here is the last psalm in the book. It only appears once in the three year cycle, Easter Year C. So here we are, and pleased to welcome this short joyful, musical finale. The psalm The six short verses of Psalm 150 call us to praise God in creation. No specific reasons are adduced, … Continue reading Psalm 150, 3 April 2016
Tag: patience
Psalm 123, 5 July 2015
Psalm 123 (text here>) is a song of ascent, sometimes called degrees or graduals. These short and hopeful songs are grouped as Psalms 120 to 134. This one, with only four verses, is short and bitter-sweet. Two themes are mingled: the psalmist declares (1) trust in divine love and protection, while (2) hoping for mercy … Continue reading Psalm 123, 5 July 2015
Psalm 130, 28 June 2015
Life in many places has often been pretty rough over the years; people fight, wars arise over land, resources or power grabs. Days are very dark for ordinary people feeling the consequences of conflict. When things fall apart like that, community rulers try new ways of patching them up and preventing recurrence. The charter shown here is one such attempt. … Continue reading Psalm 130, 28 June 2015
Psalm 126, 14 Dec 14
Sowing can be back-breaking work. If you are down in the dumps at the time, burdened by worries, tough conditions and long days, 'sowing in tears' as in this psalm, the harvest seems a doubtful and distant prospect. But this is one of the psalms of Ascent. So there's an inspiring promise there, one that … Continue reading Psalm 126, 14 Dec 14
Psalm 13, 29 June 14 – How long?
This Sunday we hear a simple but urgent lament in Psalm 13, in which the key question is 'How long?' That internal anxious silence before we receive an inkling of an answer, some source of relief, comfort or bounty - all ideas that jostle into the six short verses of this lament. How long have you forgotten … Continue reading Psalm 13, 29 June 14 – How long?
Psalms in the South 