Psalm Meditation 550
Second Sunday After Christmas
January 2, 2011
Psalm 94
1 O LORD, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve!
3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?
4 They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.
5 They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage.
6 They kill the widow and the stranger, they murder the orphan,
7 and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive."
8 Understand, O dullest of the people; fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, he who teaches knowledge to humankind, does he not chastise?
11 The LORD knows our thoughts, that they are but an empty breath.
12 Happy are those whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,
13 giving them respite from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;
15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers?
17 If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
18 When I thought, "My foot is slipping," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who contrive mischief by statute?
21 They band together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He will repay them for their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the LORD our God will wipe them out.
(NRSV)
In a recent Sunday School class one of the participants asked how many of us picture God being a part of our day. It reminded me of a story one of my seminary professors told from the 1960s when the book God is Dead came out. A member of the congregation asked what it all meant and he asked her how often she talked about God to her friends or thought about God other than on Sunday morning during worship. All that to say that we are not as far from those the psalmist is scolding as we would like to be. That is, the folks who act as if God were inattentive to our daily actions.
The psalmist reminds us that God is watching and listening. What we do during the week makes as much difference to God as what we do on Sunday morning. There is the companion reminder that God knows what we are thinking as we worship and at all other times of our lives. In the context of this psalm it is a scary thought that God knows so much about us. God knows all the terrible things we say and hear about other people and God knows the thoughts that go through our heads as we hear and say these things. If God is only a harsh judge we are in some pretty serious trouble, even as people of God.
The good thing is that God is more than judge. God also loves us more deeply than we can possibly know. So, yes we will be judged harshly and we will be loved, taught and disciplined (yes, I know they mean the same thing) by a God who loves us and wants what is best for us and for those around us. God even loves those who make us crazy as well as those who hate us.
December 27, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Psalm Meditation 549
First Sunday After Christmas
December 26, 2010
Psalm 64
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from the dread enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming of evildoers,
3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
4 shooting from ambush at the blameless; they shoot suddenly and without fear.
5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, "Who can see us?
6 Who can search out our crimes? We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot." For the human heart and mind are deep.
7 But God will shoot his arrow at them; they will be wounded suddenly.
8 Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake with horror.
9 Then everyone will fear; they will tell what God has brought about, and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him. Let all the upright in heart glory.
(NRSV)
I can’t shake the image of middle school students in which one group picks a few others to receive all their nasty comments. They may or may not notice how much pain they are inflicting on this ‘other.’ What they know is that it keeps them from sniping at each other quite so viciously because they have a common ‘enemy’. They seem to be immune to any barbs in return no matter whether they come from the object of their derision or from some other group. The major difference seems to be the level of support folks have from their group.
The folks who take the comments to heart are the ones searching for a sense of belonging, a group of which to be a part. They are the loners and outcasts who desperately want to be a part yet have no real points of contact with anyone. Because they have no support system they are great targets for the various weapons wielded by those by whom they are surrounded. The psalmist reminds us that God is available to each of us, with a special bias toward the outsiders.
The presence of God does not lead to an end to the bullying or to one who can instantly stand up to those who bully. The presence of God and the people of God begins to build a support system that can help deflect the slings and arrows of daily life. “For the human heart and mind are deep.” reminds us that while there is great potential for sin and evil within us there is a great reservoir of good as well. God will not keep us from being mean to each other so much as God will offer an alternative viewpoint. The steadfast love of God reminds us that we are people of infinite worth.
December 20, 2010
First Sunday After Christmas
December 26, 2010
Psalm 64
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from the dread enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming of evildoers,
3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
4 shooting from ambush at the blameless; they shoot suddenly and without fear.
5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, "Who can see us?
6 Who can search out our crimes? We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot." For the human heart and mind are deep.
7 But God will shoot his arrow at them; they will be wounded suddenly.
8 Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake with horror.
9 Then everyone will fear; they will tell what God has brought about, and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him. Let all the upright in heart glory.
(NRSV)
I can’t shake the image of middle school students in which one group picks a few others to receive all their nasty comments. They may or may not notice how much pain they are inflicting on this ‘other.’ What they know is that it keeps them from sniping at each other quite so viciously because they have a common ‘enemy’. They seem to be immune to any barbs in return no matter whether they come from the object of their derision or from some other group. The major difference seems to be the level of support folks have from their group.
The folks who take the comments to heart are the ones searching for a sense of belonging, a group of which to be a part. They are the loners and outcasts who desperately want to be a part yet have no real points of contact with anyone. Because they have no support system they are great targets for the various weapons wielded by those by whom they are surrounded. The psalmist reminds us that God is available to each of us, with a special bias toward the outsiders.
The presence of God does not lead to an end to the bullying or to one who can instantly stand up to those who bully. The presence of God and the people of God begins to build a support system that can help deflect the slings and arrows of daily life. “For the human heart and mind are deep.” reminds us that while there is great potential for sin and evil within us there is a great reservoir of good as well. God will not keep us from being mean to each other so much as God will offer an alternative viewpoint. The steadfast love of God reminds us that we are people of infinite worth.
December 20, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Psalm Meditation 548
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 19, 2010
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
Much as we say we hate rules we really do love them, especially when they catch someone else as a rule breaker. We feel as if we have to keep refining and clarifying rules because someone comes up with a question about a particular situation that is not definitively spelled out in the rules we have so far. Interesting that the psalmist can teach us how to fear God in three verses and we look for loopholes that need further and further clarification.
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” It seems pretty straight forward as a psalm of praise, however when it becomes a rule there are questions and clarifications that need to be asked and answered. There are also exceptions that need to be raised since, for example, one person will believe that the instruction to seek peace means with everyone and someone else believes it only applies to those in our particular group.
We do like to know what is expected of us and we like for those expectations to be readily achievable. We also like to know that there is an ‘in’ group and an ‘out’ group and that we are part of the ‘in’ crowd. The psalmist reminds us that the folks who serve God are redeemed. Will it be the one who pursues peace only with ‘us’ or will it be the one who pursues peace with all? It is possible that God will redeem both since each serves to the best of their ability. Could it be that God will redeem those with whom we disagree as well as us since we see ourselves as servants of God?
December 13, 2010
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 19, 2010
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(NRSV)
Much as we say we hate rules we really do love them, especially when they catch someone else as a rule breaker. We feel as if we have to keep refining and clarifying rules because someone comes up with a question about a particular situation that is not definitively spelled out in the rules we have so far. Interesting that the psalmist can teach us how to fear God in three verses and we look for loopholes that need further and further clarification.
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” It seems pretty straight forward as a psalm of praise, however when it becomes a rule there are questions and clarifications that need to be asked and answered. There are also exceptions that need to be raised since, for example, one person will believe that the instruction to seek peace means with everyone and someone else believes it only applies to those in our particular group.
We do like to know what is expected of us and we like for those expectations to be readily achievable. We also like to know that there is an ‘in’ group and an ‘out’ group and that we are part of the ‘in’ crowd. The psalmist reminds us that the folks who serve God are redeemed. Will it be the one who pursues peace only with ‘us’ or will it be the one who pursues peace with all? It is possible that God will redeem both since each serves to the best of their ability. Could it be that God will redeem those with whom we disagree as well as us since we see ourselves as servants of God?
December 13, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Psalm Meditation 547
Third Sunday of Advent
December 12, 2010
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!"
7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
(NRSV)
It has been several years since I have been to a party where folks have had way too much to drink and provided much of the entertainment by their alcohol fueled antics. Those parties are much more memorable to the folks who are not participating in the drinking and the silliness that goes with it. The gladness of the evening is more than offset by the price one pays the next day from the headache and the blow to one’s reputation. It may be better to be known as a funny drunk than as a mean drunk, however one is still known as a drunk either way.
It has not been that long since I have been to a party in which folks were all committed Christians and church people. I have had just as much, if not more, fun and all the participants could remember what happened and had much less for which to be embarrassed in the morning. The gladness of the evening was a genuine joy in each other’s company brought about by the common love of God and participation in the community of faith. The psalmist celebrates the gladness of heart that comes from being wholly/holy in the presence of God.
To live out of a relationship with God is to have a sense of peace in our lives. Faithful people will have regrets, however I believe those regrets will be fewer and less severe than for those driven by relationships other than with God and the people around them. Relationships with people last longer and are more fulfilling than those based on anything else. While, “There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!"“ those who have a relationship with God are most likely to actually see good and notice the light of God’s face shining on us. That presence gives us something to share with others who are looking for a meaningful sense of gladness.
December 6, 2010
Third Sunday of Advent
December 12, 2010
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!"
7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
(NRSV)
It has been several years since I have been to a party where folks have had way too much to drink and provided much of the entertainment by their alcohol fueled antics. Those parties are much more memorable to the folks who are not participating in the drinking and the silliness that goes with it. The gladness of the evening is more than offset by the price one pays the next day from the headache and the blow to one’s reputation. It may be better to be known as a funny drunk than as a mean drunk, however one is still known as a drunk either way.
It has not been that long since I have been to a party in which folks were all committed Christians and church people. I have had just as much, if not more, fun and all the participants could remember what happened and had much less for which to be embarrassed in the morning. The gladness of the evening was a genuine joy in each other’s company brought about by the common love of God and participation in the community of faith. The psalmist celebrates the gladness of heart that comes from being wholly/holy in the presence of God.
To live out of a relationship with God is to have a sense of peace in our lives. Faithful people will have regrets, however I believe those regrets will be fewer and less severe than for those driven by relationships other than with God and the people around them. Relationships with people last longer and are more fulfilling than those based on anything else. While, “There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!"“ those who have a relationship with God are most likely to actually see good and notice the light of God’s face shining on us. That presence gives us something to share with others who are looking for a meaningful sense of gladness.
December 6, 2010
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