Psalm 15

"O God, who may abide in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly, 

and do what is right, 

who speak the truth from their heart, 

and do not slander with their tongue, 

and do no evil to their friends, 

nor take up a reproach against their neighbors. 

   

In whose eyes the wicked are despised, 

but who honor those who fear God; 

who stand by their oath 

even to their hurt; 

who do not lend money at interest, 

and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things 

shall never be moved." 

Psalm 15, New Century Psalter    

  

"The very nature of the psalms, as simple, blunt, and direct as they are, calls for them to be sung in the everyday language of the people. Nothing is more remote from them than an obscure language that makes them distant and unapproachable. Sung mechanically, they are no longer the psalms of the Bible as Jesus knew them...What really matters is that the psalms be sung humbly, prayerfully, slowly, and fervently. Only then can we begin to savor their richness, absorb their wisdom, and capture something of the pure joy of praising God."   

  

Brother Victor, Blessings of the Daily    

   

It is the rare service that I do not begin without at least part of a psalm. I do this because I love them, and because I love the sense of connection to voices and souls that have long come before us. Brother Victor reminds me that Jesus prayed the psalms, pondered these questions, and maybe even wrestled with some of the answers.  This shifts us from praying to Jesus to praying with Jesus. The same is true in meditation. Here, we begin to mature into Christ, and we find home. It may be on a holy hill, but it is also a humble one.   

  

Blessings on your journey.