The underlying message from Psalm 50 is to recognise that justice flows from an acceptance of divine principles and influence. The message is clothed in a vision of God speaking forth in awesome drama to call, "from the rising of the sun to its setting", for sincerity in the faithful: 4 God calls to the heavens … Continue reading Psalm 50, 14 Feb 21
Tag: truth
Psalm 139, 19 July 2020
Search me O God and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts. (v. 23) First instincts, you would think, would be to hide away known failings, bad habits or secret prejudice. Other-approval can be a strong influence on what we say, on whether we open up. Here, however, David feels transparent in … Continue reading Psalm 139, 19 July 2020
Psalm 45, 5 July 20
A female presence flows through the readings for this Sunday 5 July. First in Genesis is the record of how Rebekah stepped out in faith to meet an unknown Isaac. Psalm 45 is a song to a king and his bride. And from the Song of Solomon we hear: My beloved speaks and says to … Continue reading Psalm 45, 5 July 20
Psalm 139, 14 Jan ’18
The number 139, at first glance, is an unprepossessing, even lacklustre numerical label; what can be remarkable about 139? But wait! 139 is a prime number and (perhaps at the risk of giving undue credence to biblical numbers games) here we have a prime example of a fine psalm of primary teaching: God you have … Continue reading Psalm 139, 14 Jan ’18
Psalm 85, 10 Dec ’17
The first Australians have been conscious of and connected to the land in much stronger and deeper ways than more recent arrivals can comprehend. Their livelihood was far more intimately bound up with their natural environment. Features in their traditional territorial landscapes have longstanding narrative and spiritual importance. Somehow, this atmosphere permeates Psalm 85, declaring … Continue reading Psalm 85, 10 Dec ’17
Psalm 120, Ascents
This is the first of a group of fifteen psalms from 120 to 134 called the Songs of Ascent. Most of them are quite short, between 5 and 8 verses; one (132) is longer but is surrounded (131, 133, 134) by poems of just three verses each. Originating perhaps as pilgrim songs, they are sometimes … Continue reading Psalm 120, Ascents
Psalm 35
Psalm 35 has been omitted from the lectionary, probably as a 'special interest' poem -- in this case for those who have been slandered or victim of deceit and such injustices. Hopefully most readers will not suffer such pain too often and may not identify with the psalmist and the song; but it does happen. … Continue reading Psalm 35
Psalm 52, 17 July 2016
Psalm 52 is another of those songs that can sound vindictive and unforgiving when encountered outside its historical setting. Fortunately, the preamble refers to Doeg and Saul, thereby providing the requisite clues. Doeg is not, one has to admit, a big name in biblical tales. A devious fellow, it seems, which is what got David … Continue reading Psalm 52, 17 July 2016
Psalms 42, 43, 19 June 16
Australians, at least those who live or travel anywhere near the open dry spaces of this continent, know what thirst is all about. Indigenous plants and animals evolved to survive through hot summers and droughts. Aboriginal people were expert at finding water in dry creek beds, trees and grasses. For Sooner or later in a … Continue reading Psalms 42, 43, 19 June 16
Psalms 44, 53 and 55
These three psalms tell of moments of grief, fear, shame or anger caused by conflict of one sort or another. While they all on first reading have a flavour of violence, and all are omitted from the weekly lectionary readings, they should not be ignored. They actually argue for reliance on divine truth and protection rather than the sword. … Continue reading Psalms 44, 53 and 55
Psalms in the South 