Psalm 50

My used paperback edition of Rejoice, Beloved Woman!by Barbara J. Monda has arrived. I have not yet delved deeply into ​this rendition of the psalms, but in the book, I found a lime green index card between Psalm 50 and Psalm 51. On it is written, "She challenges us to keep our word to her."  This is the only sign that book had a previous owner.  It seems an excellent place to start.  

  

Psalm 50 is truly about keeping our promises. In Monda's rendition, the Psalm is addressed to Binah, Hebrew for Understanding.  In Proverbs 8 we hear the female voices of Wisdom and Understanding calling out to us. If we do not respond to and with Wisdom (Chokmah) and Understanding (Binah) humans cause much grief and destruction to God's good creation and to one another.  Unless we embrace them, we can never be good stewards.  While I have a sense of Binah in the night as well as the day, Monda is keeping close the more traditional translations of this psalm. 

I came across the photograph in a draft of an email never sent.  It reminds me of the beauty of prayer. Psalm 50 reminds me that my prayers need to be reflected in how I live my life.   

   

Binah, Mother of all Creation, works in the world from sunrise to sunset. 

She shines out of her holy places resplendent with incomparable beauty. 

She comes forth heralded by raging storms and lightning. 

She calls her people to her presence, 

gathering them close to her. 

She speaks to them: 

 I have no need of your sacrifices. All the world is mine, 

the forest creatures and those grazing in grasses. 

All birds are known by me as is every small creature of the field. 

They are all my children.

Hungry, I would not ask you for nourishment, for it is mine. 

Your sacrifices I do not need either. 

Rather, keep your word to me.   

Ask me for help, and when I give it you, then praise me. 

Do not quote the law and then turn your back to me 

when I speak to you. 

For what purpose is knowledge of the law if you make friends

with those who steal another's mates or possessions?

My silence does not mean I approve if you are always 

finding fault with your family or if your words 

hurt your neighbor. 

I will confront you so you know how your acts indict you,

lest in your self-satisfaction you withdraw  

even further from rightness. 

If I left you, what would you have? Thank me and honor my name.

The ones who keep my ways I will save.