Psalm Meditation 622
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 20, 2012

Psalm 19
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
(NRSV)

There is something about rules that drive many of us crazy. It seems to be the idea of rules, rather than the rules themselves that drive us nuts. Imagine playing sports without rules. How would we know who won and lost since place and method of scoring are among the rules. We chafe against the rules, however when someone breaks the rules we cry out that it is not fair, especially if the rule breaker is not on our team. As children and youth we long for the day we can be done with school and home so that we no longer have to live and work by someone else’s rules. As we go out on our own we begin to realize that the rules of childhood are simply a foretaste of the rules we will have as adults.

In this psalm the psalmist is actually celebrating the rules God has set out for us. These rules set the boundaries of our relationship with God and with each other. They are good. God’s rules keep us from doing some things that would hurt other folks. God’s rules allow us tremendous freedom within the bounds of those rules. God’s rules end up making our lives easier and more challenging all at the same time.

We can embrace the rules as the psalmist has, we can reject and rebel against the rules as some folks seem to do or we can push on the edges of the rules sometimes within their confines and sometimes from just outside. God knows that the rules are there to make our lives easier. When we choose to ignore the rules, our lives will be painful. When we live inside the rules as if they are a prison, our lives will be boring. When we live with the rules in a sense of active engagement we will find life and help and hope in the relationship that is formed.

© May 14, 2012