WE LEAP FORWARD a hundred psalms from last week's 16 to find in Psalm 116 a paean of thanks for deliverance from the power of darkness and the hold of the grave, grief and sorrow. So the psalmist resolves to "walk in the presence of God in the land of the living". (v.9) The psalmist … Continue reading Psalm 116, 26 April 20
Tag: security
Psalm 4, 15 April 18
This song 'of David' only just makes it into the lectionary, once in Year B alone. However, the themes of supplication, forgiveness, trust and peace are familiar from many other similar songs. The last verse seems to set it aside, not as an expression of divine protection for this is another common theme, but as … Continue reading Psalm 4, 15 April 18
Psalm 114, 1 April 2018
This poem is all about the Exodus, the release from slavery in Egypt, and the transit to a new life across the Red Sea. There is no mention of resurrection, nor Easter of course. Indeed we read no reference to any divine influence until the very last verse. Was it, then, an April Fool's Day … Continue reading Psalm 114, 1 April 2018
Psalm 59: Judge fairly
In Psalm 59 as in many others, context and time are important. The situation is referred to in the introduction: To the leader: Do not destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when Saul ordered his house to be watched in order to kill him. The phrase "Do not destroy", like "Miktam", is obscure but may mean … Continue reading Psalm 59: Judge fairly
Psalm 102, Penitential 5
Two voices emerge for the reader during this extended lament. A sad David seems to be suffering from a degenerative illness. Yet in the midst of distress and weariness, his Voice 1 can yet find a peaceful and somehow comforting image for his isolation and worry: I am like an owl of the wilderness, a little … Continue reading Psalm 102, Penitential 5
Psalm 41
The gospels differ slightly in how they report the Beatitudes. Luke says: "Blessed are the poor", while in Matthew we read: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt.5:3) Whatever Jesus actually said, it's quite possible he was quoting this last song in Book 1 of the Psalter: Blessed are … Continue reading Psalm 41
Psalm 26
We find early in this song an echo of Psalm 1. The writer, thought to be David, declares his innocence and refuses to 'sit with the wicked' (v. 5). He offers a prayer for justice and confirmation of sticking to the 'right way' -- that powerful word 'integrity' occurs at beginning and end in some translations. Psalm 1 … Continue reading Psalm 26
Psalm 80, 14 August 2016
Psalm 80 (selected text here>) makes a relatively frequent appearance in the Revised Common Lectionary. It is listed in all three years, sometimes twice, and has been thrice discussed in this blog already -- see entries in the Index Book 3 page. (The alternative reading is Psalm 82, which I described in a recent blog as 'fundamental teaching … Continue reading Psalm 80, 14 August 2016
Psalm 60
It was the washbasin that put me onto it. I realised of course that there is quite a lot of repetition in the psalms - asking God to defend, save and vanquish evil, 'for human help is worthless' as in this song (Ps 60:11). But you immediately know you've been there before when you read … Continue reading Psalm 60
Psalms 18, 21 and 28
The contents of Book 1 of the Psalter have been quite well covered here over the last few years. These next three 'skips', all attributed to David, will colour it in a little further -- but not detain us long. Psalm 18 This song is a long one, 50 verses celebrating David's deliverance from the clutches of Saul … Continue reading Psalms 18, 21 and 28
Psalms in the South 