Psalm 37

Verse 25 of this psalm reveals that we are receiving advice from one who is now old. Throughout the forty verses of this psalm, our wise ancestor gently but steadily reminds us  that the wicked will not last forever, and that the righteous are never forsaken.  He shares his insights, garnered over a lifetime, and I find refuge in them. Let us continue the good work, trusting it is not in vain.  This, I believe, is what it means to wait in the LORD. 

"I have seen the wicked triumphant, 

towering like cedars of Lebanon. 

I passed by again; they were gone, 

I searched; they were nowhere to be found. 

Mark the blameless, observe the upright; 

for the peaceful a future lies in store, 

but sinners shall all be destroyed, 

the future of the wicked cut off.  

But from the LORD comes the salvation

of the righteous, 

their stronghold in time of distress. 

The LORD helps them and rescues them, 

rescues and saves them from the wicked, 

for their refuge is in God."   

Psalm 37:35-40

The Ecumenical Grail Psalter  

  

Psalm 36

We concluded yesterday's service with a really fun hymn to sing, "Precious Name." As we sang the lines,  "hope of earth and joy of heaven," I looked to my right and saw Sister B., dressed in pink, walking her walker down the hall.  I gave her a wave, and she waved back. Her walk then became a joyful dance, one that King David would have surely joined. At the end of the hymn she came in and we hugged. A moment of pure happiness.  After the service, several of the people were not ready to leave, so thanks to the generosity of the pianist, we sang a few more hymns from memory. 

I have known Sister B. (no, not her real name) for years. She still attends her own church, and has never joined me for worship. Nonetheless, she often tells me how happy she is that we continue to come to this community, and I tell her I am happy that she lives there. I am reminded of a resident in skilled nursing who, when recently asked if she wanted to receive communion, responded with, "No, but I feel better knowing you do."   

 

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

All people may take refuge in the 

shadow of your wings. 

 

They feast on the abundance of your house, 

and you give them drink from the river 

of your delights. 

For with you is the fountain of life; 

in your light we see light."  

 

Psalm 36:7-9 

New Century Psalter 

   

  

Psalm 35

Psalm 35 is a long song of one struggling with betrayal, much longer than what I include today.  Nan C. Merrill takes this psalm in an interesting direction; she asks God, the Beloved, to pray for her.  Let us pray for all of those who are struggling with betrayal and its aftermath, either on a personal or national level.  None of us are immune, but when we pray, we can find solace in knowing God is praying with us, and that sooner or later, the truth will be made known.  
    

"Pray on my behalf, O Beloved, for those

who fight against me; 

Forgive on my behalf those who abuse me. 

Pour forth your strength into my heart 

that I might stand strong. 

Encircle with healing love 

those who persecute me through fear. 

And say to my soul, 

'I am with you always.'

  

Let their ignorance become as chaff 

before the wind, 

send angels to lead them home to You. 

Let their path become filled with light 

that they may see the way of truth."     

   

 Psalm 35, Psalms for Praying 

Nan C. Merrill     

   

In her book, A Life Giving Way, Esther de Waal quotes Henri Nouwen: "Many time I have thought if I am ever sent to prison, if I am ever subjected to hunger, pain, torture, or humiliation, I hope and pray that they let me keep the psalms. The psalms will keep my spirit alive..."     

  

Psalm 34

Psalm 34 is one of my favorite psalms, but I never gave thought much about the heading:  "Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away."  I believe I need to take another look at the texts of Samuel, but in 1 Samuel, 21:10-15, it is Achish, not Abimelech, who drives the clever David out of the city.  In The Ecumenical Grail Psalter, this heading is verse 1, so there is a slight numbering discrepancy.     

   

"I will bless the LORD at all times, 

praise is always in my mouth. 

In the LORD my soul shall make its boast: 

the humble shall hear and be glad.   

 

Glorify the LORD with me; 

together let us praise God's name. 

I sought the LORD who answered me,

and set me free from all my terrors.  

 

Look toward the LORD and be radiant: 

let your faces not be abashed. 

When the lowly call out, the LORD hears, 

and rescues them from all their distress.  

  

The angel of the LORD is encamped 

around those who are reverent, 

to rescue them. 

Taste and see that the LORD is good. 

Blessed are they who seek refuge in him.  

 

Psalm 34:2-9 

The New Ecumenical Grail Psalter 

   

In Chanting the Psalms, the author, Cynthia Bourgeault, mentions a book entitled, Ancient Songs Sung Anew by Lynn Bauman. Through an internet search, I was able to send an email to the author to see if this book was still available. He wrote back saying he still had copies in two formats. One is a smaller, more portable edition, in new condition.  He then added he has more standard sized copies that while new, some pages are discolored because they went through a tornado.  I replied that I definitely wanted a tornado survivor.  He responded, "Yes, those have lots of perseverance in them."   

  

  

Ever On

Yesterday, three of us sat and continued our slow journey through Genesis. As we gathered around the simple altar that is my study Bible, we pondered the Tower of Babel. We also spoke and prayed for the pain of having to leave one's country, of the concern for a loved one who is in the hospital, and of a friend who could not join us that day. I fell in love again. Not only with my gentle fellow travelers, but also with the Timeless Mystery that guides our tiny caravan.       

"I shape my heart like theirs 

and theirs like mine."

"Too in Love To Chat"
St. Teresa of Avila
Love Poems from God, Daniel Ladinsky   

  

Psalm 33

Taking each psalm as it comes really is like riding a wave. There is nothing to hold on to; we simply journey on in trust.  This morning's psalm seems wondrously celebratory and once again we have the encouragement to shout our praises. Well, I almost never shout nor do I play a lute, but this morning I can sing my alleluias. The encouragement is live as fully and gratefully as we can, willingly taking part in God's good creation. As we also read in the psalms, "Let our whole being praise the LORD."

  

"Ring out your joy to the LORD, O you righteous, 

for praise is fitting from the upright. 

Give thanks to the LORD upon the harp; 

with a ten-stringed lute sing songs to God. 

O sing a song that is new; 

play skillfully, with shouts of joy.

For the word of the LORD is upright, 

and all God's works to be trusted. 

The Lord loves justice and right; 

God's faithful love fills the earth."  

Psalm 33: 1-5 

The Ecumenical Grail Psalter    

  

Today

On a day when the wind is perfect, 

the sail just needs to open 

and the love starts. 

Today is such a day.

From "On a Day When the Wind Is Perfect," by Rumi.