Psalm 73

BOOK III : Psalms 73-89

A psalm of Asaph.

¹Surely God is good to Israel,
       to those who are pure in heart.

² But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
       I had nearly lost my foothold.

³ For I envied the arrogant
       when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ They have no struggles;
       their bodies are healthy and strong.

⁵ They are free from the burdens common to man;
       they are not plagued by human ills.

⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace;
       they clothe themselves with violence.

⁷ From their callous hearts comes iniquity ;
       the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

⁸ They scoff, and speak with malice;
       in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

⁹ Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
       and their tongues take possession of the earth.

¹⁰ Therefore their people turn to them
       and drink up waters in abundance.

¹¹ They say, “How can God know?
       Does the Most High have knowledge?”

¹² This is what the wicked are like—
       always carefree, they increase in wealth.

¹³ Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
       in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

¹⁴ All day long I have been plagued;
       I have been punished every morning.

¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
       I would have betrayed your children.

¹⁶ When I tried to understand all this,
       it was oppressive to me

¹⁷ till I entered the sanctuary of God;
       then I understood their final destiny.

¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery ground;
       you cast them down to ruin.

¹⁹ How suddenly are they destroyed,
       completely swept away by terrors!

²⁰ As a dream when one awakes,
       so when you arise, O Lord,
       you will despise them as fantasies.

²¹ When my heart was grieved
       and my spirit embittered,

²² I was senseless and ignorant;
       I was a brute beast before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
       you hold me by my right hand.

²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
       and afterward you will take me into glory.

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
       And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
       but God is the strength of my heart
       and my portion forever.

²⁷ Those who are far from you will perish;
       you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

²⁸ But as for me, it is good to be near God.
       I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
       I will tell of all your deeds. 

New International Version (NIV)

Sometimes when life is particularly hard, and I am tired and downcast and don’t understand, this psalm comes to mind.

Especially the following verses, from The Message,

^11-14 What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch?
      Nobody’s tending the store.
   The wicked get by with everything;
      they have it made, piling up riches.
   I’ve been stupid to play by the rules;
      what has it gotten me?
   A long run of bad luck, that’s what—
      a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.

And yet, somewhere deep inside, I know that this is NOT true.

It is just one more cleverly told lie by Satan- and so I go on the read the rest of the Psalm.  Because, “as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge….”

1)  Who wrote it?

Asaph- choir director,Levite.

2) circumstances?

Unsure, most likely at a low point in his life.

3)  questions?

Why do good things happen to bad people?  or Why do evil men prosper and good men fail?

4)  Answered?  by whom?

By the Holy Spirit’s  guidance in Israel’s past and in Asaph’s own heart. (vvs. 1,23-26, 28)

5)   Can I pray this prayer?

Yes, Often.

6)    Names for God?

The Most High, God, O LORD, the Sovereign LORD

7)     Relationship?

Hurt and disillusioned, yet close, hoping for understanding—then repentant, grateful, and loving.

8)    NT References?

There are thematic references :

vs 1  “Pure in heart” references the Sermon on the Mount.

vvs 17-19  ” For  what is a man profited to gain the world et lose his soul?”  (Matt 16:26)

vs 25  “To who shall we go” You have the words of eternal life.”

9)     Voices?

voice of righteous believers, voice of arrogant wicked ones

10)   What does it mean to me?

Psalm 73 is about true perspectives.  What is our viewpoint?  Are we so living in the “here and now” that all we can see is what we lack in this world?  Are we so blind to real value that we want only what we can touch and see?

Or, can we truly be God’s children and see” with eternity’s values in view”?  Can we enter into the Eternal life that we receive from God the moment we put our lives into His hands and start trusting in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ? 

As believers, we do not live by explanations- we live by promises.  And God’s promises only become real to us as we grow in relationship with Him- accepting His salvation- trusting in His judgements- believing in His Word- and spending time in His presence.

On my worst days, the questions plague me.

But even on my worst days, the Holy Spirit whispers hope and eternity to my soul. 

And I trust Him.

Because it IS good to be near God.

Psalm 123 is one of the pilgrim psalms, sung in unison as the people of Israel made their yearly pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem, placed high on a hill was a journey of ascent- a climb to the most holy place- and as the people climbed that hill they sang songs of praise and confession, repentance and deliverance. 

A psalm is not a lecture telling us what to do and why;  it is a song celebrating our God and ” what happens when a person of faith goes about the business of believing and loving and following God”  Eugene Peterson

Psalm 123 is called the Sigh of the Eyes or the Eye of Hope.  We see that aspect of the life of discipleship that takes place under the form of servanthhood.

Psalm 123

A Pilgrim Song

^1-4 I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help.
   Like servants, alert to their master’s commands,
      like a maiden attending her lady,
   We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath,
      awaiting your word of mercy.
   Mercy, God, mercy!
      We’ve been kicked around long enough,
   Kicked in the teeth by complacent rich men,
      kicked when we’re down by arrogant brutes.

Psalm 123

A song of ascents. 

¹ I lift up my eyes to you,
       to you whose throne is in heaven.

² As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
       as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
       so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
       till he shows us his mercy.

³ Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us,
       for we have endured much contempt.

⁴ We have endured much ridicule from the proud,
       much contempt from the arrogant.

The  first passage above is The Message, below it is the NIV.

To answer the 10 questions:

1)   Who wrote it?

Nehemiah or a prophet of his time. An arranger of music, Asaph?

2)     What were the circumstances?

In the bonds of servanthood, considering the bonds between servant and master.

3)      Questions asked?

Implied question- How may I serve you, Lord and Master?

4)     Answered? By whom?

Answered by the Master.  By Mercy and our past experience in His service.

5)      Can I pray this psalm?

As His child and bond servant – I need to consider and pray this psalm daily!

6)       Names for God?

Master (covenant name), LORD, God

7)       Relationship?

Servant

8)  NT references?

Thematic references, vs1 to the Lord’s prayer, vs 3  to the arrogant abuse endured by God’s people.

9)      Voices?

servant, slaves, echoes of the voices of the proud and arrogant

10)     What does it mean to me?

I need to learn an attitude of life that reflects my relationship as bond servant to the Lord.  Believers serve a Master who has made Himself a servant in Jesus Christ (John 13:12-17)  My stance should always be that of looking up, looking at my Master in humility to see where my service is required.

I call out for Mercy, Mercy – but mercy is not my right.  As a servant my only right is to give my service. 

I may be”holding my breath awaiting His word of mercy”, but that is only because I have a Master who offers mercy, mercy and yet again ,mercy.

This is a psalm that highlights and deals with observing the skills of service, of servanthood.   Michael Easley, at the Founder’s day conference at Moody Bible Institute, during a sermon on the topic of obedience, said, ” My dog listens to me better that I listen to the Lord.”  In keeping my eyes trained upon the Master, I learn to better serve.  I need to continue in my training.

Mercy, God, Mercy!

Psalm 115

¹ Not to us, O LORD, not to us
       but to your name be the glory,
       because of your love and faithfulness.

² Why do the nations say,
       “Where is their God?”

³ Our God is in heaven;
       he does whatever pleases him.

⁴ But their idols are silver and gold,
       made by the hands of men.

⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak,
       eyes, but they cannot see;

⁶ they have ears, but cannot hear,
       noses, but they cannot smell;

⁷ they have hands, but cannot feel,
       feet, but they cannot walk;
       nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

⁸ Those who make them will be like them,
       and so will all who trust in them.

⁹ O house of Israel, trust in the LORD—
       he is their help and shield.

¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
       he is their help and shield.

¹¹ You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
       he is their help and shield.

¹² The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
       He will bless the house of Israel,
       he will bless the house of Aaron,

¹³ he will bless those who fear the LORD—
       small and great alike.

¹⁴ May the LORD make you increase,
       both you and your children.

¹⁵ May you be blessed by the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

¹⁶ The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
       but the earth he has given to man.

¹⁷ It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
       those who go down to silence;

¹⁸ it is we who extol the LORD,
       both now and forevermore.
       Praise the LORD.

It is a huge jump to Psalm 115 from Psalm 3, but it has been some weeks since I posted these studies.  I have actually only had one inquiry about when I would resume them, so perhaps there is not really a need to go on.  However, this one resonates with me today, and I’d like to share for that reason alone.

If you are interested in continuing to read these studies, let me encourage you to let me know in the comments.  I am happy to share, but don’t want to put this out there if there isn’t a lot of interest.

Following the 10 question system I introduced here , I’m going to answer those same questions and follow up with a paraphrase of the Psalm under the heading of  ” What does this mean for/to me.”

1) Who wrote it?——-Unknown

2) Circumstances ?——-After Israel’s return from captivity ( read books of Ezra and Nehemiah for background material.)

3) Questions?——-” Where (WHO) is their God?” Asked by heathen nations ( Babylon, Assyria, etc.)

4) Answered? by whom?—–In primer fashion- spelled out clearly

     ( as also done in I Kings 18;27, Isaiah 44:9-20, Jeremiah 10:1-16) Comparing our All-powerful, Reigning and LIVING God to the idols

The voice answering is of the believers returned to Israel.

5) Can I pray this Psalm?—–Absolutely!!” The dead cannot sing praises… but we can praise the Lord both now and forever!” v.17 and 18

6) Names for God?-Lord, God, Helper and Shield

7) Relationship?—Enlightened ( having learned the hard lesson in captivity)  No more false worship!

8) NT references?— none precisely, but many to the Living God here represented- I Thess. 1:9, Romans 9;26,II Cor. 6:16 and 3:3, I Tim.  3:15 and Heb. 12:12.

9) Voices?—Worshippers, Children of the Living God, the heathen nations –Important to note the voices NOT HEARD!- those of the idols and the voices of the dead (physical and spiritual)!

10)   What does it mean to me?

Under this question I offer my personal paraphrase-

Our God reigns!

He is the Living God, the Father that gives life to His children

and calls all of His people to a life that brings glory

back to

Himself.

Sing unto the Lord a new song-

for we have been blessed by the lessons

He has taught us.

He is our God,

and in His unfailing love and faithfulness,

He has blessed us with the

opportunity to grow

out of our sinful mindset.

We have seen the idols of the world

-we acknowledge that they are dead-

they are false-

a sham of life-

and those that follow them are also dead.

Without life they belong to the silence of the grave.

But the Living God is our Helper

and Shield

in the roughest battles of this life.

He blesses us richly so that we can praise the Lord throughout

Eternity.

Praise the Lord.

All God’s people say, “Praise the Lord!”

Why? Because it pleases our God to bestow His faithful love upon us,

His children.

I really love Meredith’s house in Chincoteague. 

When we drive up it feels like home.  While there, I feel at home.

But, all I have to do is see my house here in Ohio and I know it isn’t the same.

Here is where we raised our children.  Here is where we built our lives.

Here is where I plan my messes and mess up my plans.

Even in the dark on a daylight savings Sunday- here is where I am welcomed by everything and everyone I see.

Yesterday morning, Frank was checking the tires before we left- so I had my door opened as we sat in the driveway in Chincoteague.  Suddenly, there was a loud THUMP!!!!!!, and a hawk and a small grackle that was clutched in the hawk’s talons went careening off of the window of my open door and rolled into the ivy bed next to the house.  The hawk, slowly rolled to its feet, left the slowly dying bird on the ground and flew groggily to a tree next door and sat in the top branches making distressed and complaining noises. 

Frank jumped up from the ground on the other side of the Jeep, and said, ” What was that?”  I showed him the bird on the ground and pointed out the hawk, and he shook his head, and said, “That’s a bad omen, isn’t it?”

Then he went back to checking the tires and I sat there digesting his comment.

A bad omen?  But we are believers in Jesus Christ- we don’t think of omens or portents – do we? 

And, in that moment I prayed, “Lord, thank you for your assurances of love and care for your children.  Thank you for raising us above the need to look for signs and …. ”  But I didn’t get any further than that, because I realized that there is a part of me that does consider these pagan warnings to have some merit.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of the incident of the horseshoe.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

You see,  I had made a rule that no picture or decoration could come down from this house in Chincoteague until we had one to put up in its place.  Our real estate agent had said that the house was “key ready” and could be rented just the way it was.  I disagreed on many levels- it was dirty- it had been neglected- the “artwork” was atrocious up in the bedrooms… but I understood what she meant.

It was rentable in this condition, and if we started taking it apart before we had replacements, then it would be lacking. So, no pictures came down without a replacement-  EXCEPT-  in the master bedroom- there was a horseshoe hung over the outside door, a symbol of luck, placed with the opening up, so that the luck wouldn’t run out.  I pointed this out to Meredith in January and she decided THAT was coming down.   And so she took it down.

Hey, it’s her house!  She doesn’t have to follow MY rules.

But the taking down of that symbol bothered me, subconsciously.

And when we went down this time, I took a coin- a military coin that Meredith gave me that had Ephesians 6 printed on it and depicted the armor of God on it.

I had it in my pocket,  and I took it up to the third floor and placed it on the dresser, felt a small frisson of relief and forgot about it.

Until Frank picked it up and asked why I had brought it and what I was going to do with it there.  I got immediately defensive.  And started giving reasons-

-It’s Meredith’s house and Meredith’s coin.

-I had plans and don’t worry about why!

-I don’t know- I just did- OK?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Sitting in the car, with the word “omen” lingering in my mind, I realized that on some level, I had been considering these pagan warnings.  And so, I prayed,”… thank you for opening my eyes to the truth.  I want to believe only in You and in your power and control over the events of life that affect me. “

I was released from a notion that I hadn’t realized that I was following.  I don’t throw salt over my shoulder or knock on wood or even believe consciously in luck- but somewhere I had given it credence.  Until that moment in the car, I was unaware  of the power it had over me- to the hindrance of prayer. 

We drove off- I hadn’t thought this through enough to share it with Frank, yet.  In fact, I woke up early this morning, at HOME,  in my OWN bed, and I came face to face with the realization that there are still some really dark areas within myself that haven’t been rooted out into the light of Christ.  Not only areas of secret sin, and unresigned  pride- but places from my childhood belief system,  dark closets I haven’t visited- where some bogeymen still live.

Yesterday’s prayer became this mornings as well-

“Thank you for revealing my secret thoughts- for purging my pagan soul- for claiming me as your own.  And for setting me free from omens that could dog my trail.  I believe, Lord, help Thou, my unbelief.

Because I’m only at home, Lord, with you.”

Amen.

Sometimes we need our enemies to help us define who we are.  More often, we need to go through trials so that we can recognize our weakness and vulnerability and the reliance we have in our God. 

Psalm 3

^1-2 God! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
   Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery:
   “Hah! No help for him from God!”
^3-4 But you, God, shield me on all sides;
   You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
   With all my might I shout up to God,
   His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
^5-6 I stretch myself out. I sleep.
   Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady,
   Fearless before the enemy mobs
   Coming at me from all sides.
⁷ Up, God! My God, help me!
   Slap their faces,
   First this cheek, then the other,
   Your fist hard in their teeth!
⁸ Real help comes from God.
   Your blessing clothes your people!

Psalm 27

A David Psalm

¹ Light, space, zest— that’s God!
   So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
      afraid of no one and nothing.
² When vandal hordes ride down
      ready to eat me alive,
   Those bullies and toughs
      fall flat on their faces.
³ When besieged,
      I’m calm as a baby.
   When all hell breaks loose,
      I’m collected and cool.
⁴ I’m asking God for one thing,
      only one thing:
   To live with him in his house
      my whole life long.
   I’ll contemplate his beauty;
      I’ll study at his feet.
⁵ That’s the only quiet, secure place
      in a noisy world,
   The perfect getaway,
      far from the buzz of traffic.
⁶ God holds me head and shoulders
      above all who try to pull me down.
   I’m headed for his place to offer anthems
      that will raise the roof!
   Already I’m singing God-songs;
      I’m making music to God.
^7-9 Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
      “Be good to me! Answer me!”
   When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
      my whole being replied,
   “I’m seeking him!”
      Don’t hide from me now!
^9-10 You’ve always been right there for me;
      don’t turn your back on me now.
   Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
      you’ve always kept the door open.
   My father and mother walked out and left me,
      but God took me in.
^11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
      direct me along a well-lighted street;
      show my enemies whose side you’re on.
   Don’t throw me to the dogs,
      those liars who are out to get me,
      filling the air with their threats.
^13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don’t quit.
   I’ll say it again:
      Stay with God.

The language is filled with confidence, the mood is exuberant- like a song of joy along this journey of faith.  David knows the LORD well and describes Him from his own experiences.

As light and salvation, a stronghold, beautiful in His temple ( still a tabernacle or tent at this point.)  David  has come through some nasty situations and uses them as a springboard to praise.  His past burdens and narrow escapes have become areas of strength.  His enemies helped David get a clearer vision of the Love and protection and provision of God in his life. 

David’s present song comes from his previous fears and shaken faith- in his darkest hours, he reaches out toward the light of the LORD , when caught in a trap, he recognized the salvation  offered by his savior , when camped upon a lonely plain, only God was his stronghold.  In the midst of slander, siege, war and personal attacks, he know he will prevail because the LORD is his beautiful safe place, keeping him like a protected guest hidden away from harm.

He ends this psalm with strong testimony of God’s goodness  The secret of this witness is in the heart of faith – verse 3 of psalm 27 says ” my heart will not fear”.  God can help us conquer fear when we obey faithfully and learn to worship Him, walk with Him, and wait for His leading and presence.

David has learned to trust in God.  And so must I learn that lesson.  Over and over I need to learn that even in the most dire danger and fearful moments I cannot trust in my own strength or wits.  I have watched too many action films and read too many comic books where men are the heroes of the story.  I want to rely on myself- I want to succeed in the face of my enemies by my own rights.

But over time, it has become clear that it is by God’s grace and protection that I have overcome life’s obstacles.  It is only through His mercy that I have not been consumed and succumbed to the sinful habits and unhealthy practices that I am so prone to follow.  I only know righteousness when I remain in His presence.  I am on a journey, but not by myself.  I walk with fellow believers, following the paths that were laid out for us by our loving Father.  We travel together, sharing our stories of salvation- the testimonies of victories we have experienced and as we share we come to recognize that it is Christ who has won our victories- Christ who is the captain of our salvation.

Our enemies help us to define who we are, but it is Jesus Christ who gives us our identity. 

Yesterday when I was Skyping with Meredith, she suddenly grew very quiet and looked up at the ceiling intently.  I could tell something was wrong- she quit speaking mid-thought and sentence and her concentration on the lamp hanging over her head was chilling to behold.

She was experiencing a small earthquake.

There is nothing that underscores our instability in this world like an earthquake.

Or the death of someone you love.

We are left feeling vulnerable.

Completely out of control.

And that is exactly the right place for us spiritually as Believers in Christ.

God is Sovereign.

We are vulnerable and IN  His control.

Luke wrote on Ash Wednesday for the ERD blog and I am going to share the link with you- it is a thoughtful and meaningful reminder of what “Ashes to ashes” means and how we can respond.

Hopefully, the significance of Ash Wednesday will shake up our world enough that we will respond.

Here’s the link.

Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire
       and the peoples plot in vain?

² The kings of the earth take their stand
       and the rulers gather together
       against the LORD
       and against his Anointed One.

³ “Let us break their chains,” they say,
       “and throw off their fetters.”

⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
       the Lord scoffs at them.

⁵ Then he rebukes them in his anger
       and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

⁶ “I have installed my King
       on Zion, my holy hill.”

⁷ I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
       He said to me, “You are my Son ;
       today I have become your Father.

⁸ Ask of me,
       and I will make the nations your inheritance,
       the ends of the earth your possession.

⁹ You will rule them with an iron scepter  ;
       you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise;
       be warned, you rulers of the earth.

¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear
       and rejoice with trembling.

¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
       and you be destroyed in your way,
       for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
       Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

This is one of my favorite psalms to study with the method I shared a couple of weeks ago.  It asks and answers questions and puts on a wonderful play of characters, as well.

1)  Who wrote it?

     David.  See Acts 4: 25

2)  What are the circumstances? ( historically, personally, nationally?)

     ??? conjecture- possibly when David was made King of Israel, and some of the surrounding nations resisted his authority.???

3)  Are there questions asked?  Identify them.

     Why are men rebelling against God’s authority and decrees?

4)  Are those questions answered?  By whom?

      Yes, by the Father (verses 4-6)

               the Son ( verses 7-9)

              and the Holy Spirit (verses 10-12)[ the reference to the Holy Spirit comes

             from the injunction to “be wise” in verse 10- references to wisdom in the

            OT  invoke the third Person of the Trinity]

5)  Can I pray this psalm?

       Yes, especially verses 10-12, which provide good prayer material from the  Holy Spirit.

6)  What names for God are used by the psalmist?

       LORD, Annointed One, Ruler of Heaven, King, Father, Son

7)  What is the relationship between the psalmist and God?

        There is a close relationship, David speaks as one inspired by the Holy Spirit

8)  Are there any New Testament references ( or any other Biblical reference)?

      Do the references make the psalm more clear?

      Yes!  Acts 4:23-27 .  It absolutely makes the psalm easier to understand, giving us the inspiration and authority to interpret this psalm in the light of the Person and work of Jesus Christ.  This understanding comes from Peter who identifies David as the author and Jesus as the Royal Son and King in Psalm 2.

9)  Whose voices are heard?  (ex. psalmist, God, unbelievers, nations, etc.)

      This is where I get really involved from an artistic point of view, because this Psalm can be read as a skit.  In fact, we “performed” it in class, the Kings wearing crowns  and muttering mutinous statements to each other, a small group of nations waving flags and drawing up battle plans – the Father sitting in an armed chair with a light placed behind Him and a scepter of power, the Annointed one with a purple scarf and a HUGE crucifix around the neck and the voice of the Holy Spirit wrapped up in a diaphanous veil of mystery speaking her verses in a quiet voice.

10) What does it mean to me?

         This psalm is like the Scriptures in 3D!  Listening to the different “voices” and recognizing their part in this prophetic psalm gave/gives me a different perspective in the reading.  It is no longer a lament against treacherous neighboring kingdoms and ungodly people- it becomes  more of a morality play meant to remind me of the passion of Christ and our place in His universal Kingdom.  God’s authority and position is not threatened by the treachery of a rebellious mankind- hence His laughter.  The solidarity of the Trinity and the ultimate beauty and justice of  Christ the King is clearly evidenced in this psalm.

Try this psalm as a skit with your family or friends- you will be amazed at the power and insight it offers in this form. 

Let me know what you think in the comments.  I really treasure your thoughts and opinions.  I’ve always taught lessons in a small and personal setting and I need input, questions, disagreement,etc., to help me grow as well.

I’d also like to know if the questions and answer method is helpful to you.  I developed these for a specific group of women, but I myself found it a good tool into the study of the individual psalms. 

What do you think?

This is not a comprehensive study, nor a scholarly one that goes into little known facts or uses a lot of Aramaic and Hebrew terms.  I will not be using any one commentary nor will I use only one text for the Scripture portion.  I like to dig for the background and read widely though the many translations and then allow the Holy Spirit room to teach and enlighten.

Having said that I would like to : 1)  offer a quote from a commentary, 2)  share Psalm 1 from The Message and 3)  take you on a bunny trail that I’ve been following all week.

The quote is from Charles Haddon Spurgeon, from Volume II on Psalms.

“Our greatest trouble is occasioned by the fact that the expounders are not impartial, but spend all of their love, or at least their energies, upon   favorite passages of the sacred volume, passing by other passages with scarcely a remark , as if all Scripture were not equally inspired.”

And to that I would add, that so many who pass for Bible Scholars today are reworking and rewording something they have read in a commentary or text book.  There is very little study done from a new perspective or from a contemplative and open heart and mind.

I am approaching the Psalms with hopes of allowing them to touch my heart and life.  If you would like to come with me, please approach in the same manner.  I am not making pronouncements, just viewing the familiar and asking questions, then seeking answers.

So, when a Psalm says in the heading that it is a psalm of David, I’m not going  to be searching for a hidden author or try to sort out Asaph  and Korah from the guilds of temple musicians.  I will accept the information offered and unless it is integral to the understanding of the text, will not make more than a cursory mention of authorship.

I accept this body of work as a book of Wisdom and poetry, affirming its historicity as an anthology of liturgy and scripture, praise and prayer and instruction.

There are at least 5 types of psalms- Prayer for help;  a) for individuals  b) for the nations of Israel.  Thanksgiving in song.  Hymns.  Psalms of Instruction. And Imprecatory- characterized by the calling down of judgement upon the wicked.  

I will be looking at the names of God used from Elohim to YHWH and looking at the themes that are often offered – such as- The Lord God Reigns- and examine His many titles with an eye to His many attributes, i.e.- creator -saviour-warrior-judge.

Studying the Psalms is a journey through time and living- and I’m all about taking the steps on the journey.

Psalm 1

Psalm 1 (The Message)

¹How well God must like you— you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
   you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.
^2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
      you chew on Scripture day and night.
   You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
      bearing fresh fruit every month,
   Never dropping a leaf,
      always in blossom.
^4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
      who are mere windblown dust—
   Without defense in court,
      unfit company for innocent people.
⁶ God charts the road you take.
   The road they take is Skid Row.

I really love  Eugene Peterson, I really love The Message, and yet this paraphrase of Psalm 1 sounds like it should be in the cowboy’s Bible.  It is highly evocative of the wild west and a feeling of  lawlessness and virtue battling it out with six shooters at high noon.

Most of the other renderings of this same psalm make me just as uncomfortable though, speaking of blessing and happiness that is derived from righteous behavior.

I looked up the word, Blessed, first in a Bible dictionary  “God’s blessing is accompanied with that virtue that renders His blessing effectual and which is expressed by it”  New Unger’s   – and my response is “huh?”

Wikipedia gave me the following definition-” A gift from God- divine favor- that which make happy or prosperous- a benediction.” To which I reply- “happy and prosperous” has not been my experience.

So I looked up blessing as a word study. 

First in Hebrew- Barack or Baruch- meaning kneeling  or worship

Then in Greek- eulogia- spoken words- generally favorable

And English- blessing (modern usage) mainly a noun- as in a tangible gift of some sort.

And so, having looked down these pathways and alleys and still unsure of my directions, I decided to “delight” myself in the beauty of God’s word and to “meditate day and night”, prayerfully seeking to understand this psalm in a way that will allow me to follow. 

And this is how I have come to read the instructions.  The psalm is speaking of a very righteous man ( possibly written by David, described as a man after God’s own heart, which to me sounds like the epitome of a righteous man) and that brings to my mind the example of Job, whom God Himself describes as “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil”. Job 1:8

Now, putting Job into this equation of  blessed is the man opens up a map for me to read.  Because, Job was a man who did not walk or stand or sit with the wicked mockers, and he certainly delighted in God’s law and righteousness, and he was definitely blessed by God.  Blessed by God and yet troubled by Satan, his life was not an easy one.  The blessing of God was NOT a continual noun that he held like a possession, but instead it was a place of renewal.  When trouble came his way, he told his wife, “Should we accept good from God, and not trouble?”  Job 2:10  And later, answering his friend/tormentor he says,  ” Though he slay me, I will trust in him.” Job 13:15

He is rooted in his faith-  like a tree planted by streams of water-  when he finds himself in misery and trouble, he seeks the truth of God’s word and relies on the faithfulness of God.  The fruit in season and the leaf that does not wither is not a condition of his righteous behavior but one of relationship.  There is no promise for a trouble free life, but of eternal life. ” I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth…yet in my flesh I will see God.”  Job 19:25,26

Psalm 1 is considered to be an introductory psalm- and one of instruction- to direct us in the reading of this book and allowing our lives and spirits to become aligned with God’s.  ” For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous”- of course He does- the “righteous” are walking along with the Lord.  It is not about our righteousness, it is about our placement within God’s company. 

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep (obey) it.”

So this is how the equation works out for me.

Blessing= alignment + walking with God ~ a saving relationship~Jesus, who is the Word of God= Eternal life .

I love the Psalms.  Always have.

Even as an unbeliever the poetry and passion arrested my restless attention and drew me  to take a closer look.

The Psalms have taught me to pray.

They have been my pattern of praise.

And they are a sure guide into the human condition, standing before God.

I have read them for pleasure, for instruction, by assignment.

I have read them piecemeal and in huge gulps.

And I’ve dissected and studied them.

I taught a class on the Psalms that lasted for over a year, culminating in us writing our own psalms and putting together books to keep them in for a memory.

It was a great class.   And I was looking through my notebook yesterday and decided to share some of the insights and lessons we learned .

Basically, we had a list of questions that we answered about each psalm, and then finished by sharing what that particular psalm meant to us.

Before I gave them the questions, however, I challenged them to take a big gulp.

To read the entire book through once to get the style and language.

Then to read it again looking for attitude and placement in history.

And then to read it once again, just to look at the names of God this book revealed.

I gave them a month to accomplish these tasks and during that time I decorated notebooks for them with a pocket on the back that had a card with 10 questions on it.  This was our analysis card- each psalm was looked at according to this criteria and then prayerfully considered with the last question in mind.

These are the 10 questions:

1)  Who wrote it?

2)  What are the circumstances? ( historically, personally, nationally?)

3)  Are there questions asked?  Identify them.

4)  Are those questions answered?  By whom?

5)  Can I pray this psalm?

6)  What names for God are used by the psalmist?

7)  What is the relationship between the psalmist and God?

8)  Are there any New Testament references ( or any other Biblical reference)?

      Do the references make the psalm more clear?

9)  Whose voices are heard?  (ex. psalmist, God, unbelievers, nations, etc.)

10) What does it mean to me?

For the forseeable future, I am going to embark on this study again and post them on Sundays.  You are welcome to study along with me and post your observations in the comments area- you are also welcome just to read along and enjoy- letting me know when you agree or think I’ve gone off the deep end.

If you are not interested, skip the Sunday portion of my blog, because I am headed for a journey into the Psalms.

I hate roller coasters.

When I was young, I pretended to like them- roller coasters are exciting and young people are supposed to love them.  So I kept my real opinion to myself and got into the seat, bolstered my courage and tried to hold my stomach from regurgitating all the junk food I had eaten just before.  It was a sham.  I hated the whole experience- what should have been anticipation was dread, what could have been a thrill was unmitigated fear, and I tried to pull it off with a nonchalance that I was simply not capable of at that time of my life.

Holidays are an emotional roller coaster for me.  There is the preparation and anticipation and then the celebration and then the down time afterward when everyone is recovering from the indulgences and overspending that it takes to pull off a “perfect” holiday. 

I have scaled way back in my celebrating style.  This is the first year I haven’t sent out cards in 20 years.  I only spent what I could afford, and I didn’t go overboard cooking and baking.  And yet, I am still experiencing that down time.

I have been alone here in Chincoteague for the last couple of days.   Alone and without a car, in a neighborhood that I don’t know, among people I haven’t even met.  I am cleaning and readying the house for more family and friends and it is good that I am here, but the silence is becoming thick and the memories faint.

Contemplation is a good thing at the end of the year.  Looking back and evaluating, judging the decisions and paths of the last 12 months makes sense and helps one to be wiser in the coming year.  But- it is definitely a down time.

Down, down, down the hill, flashing past regrets and disappointments, careening around failures, seeing pictures whisk away before you can really focus, feeling your heart and tummy drop as you head towards the bottom and then slowly starting up the next hill ahead.  Making plans, meeting small goals, heading upward with the sure knowledge that as soon as you crest this hill, you will be speeding downwards again.

The joy is that I am not alone.  I am in God’s hands, He is in control, and all of my life is of value in His evaluation.  He uses me and my circumstances to further His kingdom.  And He teaches me to trust, to obey, to keep on walking and to continue on the journey.  It is a relationship that I can depend on forever. 

The only redeeming thing about roller coaster rides is that they are soon over.

Unlike this journey that I am on that lasts throughout eternity.  I am thankful for the road map of the Scripture, the companionship of believers and the Holy Spirit, and the certainty of welcome at the end by my Father.  I am thankful that I am in His care  and not without hope.

Which is why I am a Christian- I need hope to survive.

“Those whom heaven helps we call the sons of heaven. They do not learn this by learning. They do not work it by working. They do not reason it by using reason. To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment. Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven.” – Chuang Tse