While we are in Book 5 of the Psalter, there's a group of three skips here in Psalms 140, 141 and 142. All are attributed to David, whose life story should inform our interpretation as we read or sing them. All contain a plea in distress. Psalm 140. This call for rescue from attack by a violent enemy … Continue reading Psalm 140, 141 and 142, skips
Tag: refuge
Psalm 148, 24 April 2016
The last half-dozen psalms in the book raise songs of praise to the creator, like a symphony rising to its finale. In Psalm 148, the psalmist casts around the whole creation, summoning elements from all corners to join in singing praise to the name of God. It's a nice picture of solidarity, including natural and heavenly … Continue reading Psalm 148, 24 April 2016
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 32, 6 March 2016
International Women's Day on 8 March is an important day in many churches including South Woden, a community who has long valued inclusive and egalitarian policies and practices. One cannot define the divine in terms of our own human gender. Our practice here as we sing psalm verses is carefully to paraphrase the sung text to … Continue reading Psalm 32, 6 March 2016
Psalm 91, 14 Feb 2016
The devil took Jesus to a high place and said: "Jump! You'll be fine... ... it is written, 'God will command the angels to protect you; on their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' (Luke 4:9-11) Psalm 91 is where it is written. That is why this is … Continue reading Psalm 91, 14 Feb 2016
Psalm 34, 25 Oct 15
This week's readings are all about restoration after being pulled backwards through that briar bush. Job in the OT reading is happy and rich again and has lots of sheep and children. To add to the sense of drama, the storyteller just has to point out that even Job's three beautiful daughters receive a portion … Continue reading Psalm 34, 25 Oct 15
Psalm 62, 25 Jan 15 (2)
An earlier preliminary post on this psalm, since refined, featured the Wode Partbooks (pronounced 'wood') in the British Library. Tempting, but this Sunday being close to Australia Day we shall not sing from its ancient treasures. The Psalm Turning initially to the text, the first verse we read or hear (this reading being verses 5-12) is one that caught our … Continue reading Psalm 62, 25 Jan 15 (2)
Psalm 31, 18 May 14
We are familiar with Psalm 31 from Palm Sunday, although this time we read the first 5 verses and a little more in mid-psalm. This is a rich psalm, if that's not too trite a thing to say about the deep artistry and imagery of all of these songs. It combines feelings of confidence and security together … Continue reading Psalm 31, 18 May 14
Psalm 16, 27 April 14
Like the twenty-third, this is a psalm of trust and rest in divine presence, the source of goodness and guidance. The description of God as the psalmist's portion and cup evoke familiar imagery in themes that connect not only with Christian ritual but daily life. Less familiar but interesting is the image in verse 6: The boundary lines have … Continue reading Psalm 16, 27 April 14
Psalms in the South 