This is another psalm written from the perspective of people who are entering into some kind of trial. This may seem like a challenging psalm to many because it says that God hates a certain group of people. And the term hate is one that is used pretty casually in our society, everything from children looking up at parents and saying "I HATE YOU!" to the recent debates about what accounts for "hate speech" and "hate crimes." And it may be easy to read this passage and read a passage about some kind of eternal punishment and that God gladly throws people who disagree with Him into a smoldering prison. But that would be to miss the point of the psalm. After all, how many worship songs do you sing that praise God for throwing "the bad people" into hell? Certainly, a song like that would not top my list in any possible way.
In this song, we have to recognize the perspective of the Israelites and the various empires that marched against them. This passage is not about the eternal punishment of people- Old Testament spirituality did not have much room for a place of rescue and a place of punishment after death (only Sheol, which is where everyone went). This passage is about God defending Israel from imperial expansion. Since we are not on the receiving end of imperial expansion in our country, it is hard to relate to this passage. What this psalm does give us, however, is a tool in transformation- examination. Sometimes, it can be tempting to hide things from God in our prayers. But relationships cannot be built on hidden secrets and the like. It can only be built on openness and trust. So I hope this psalm helps me remain open with God and gives me the hope that because of Jesus, I too may see the face of God one day.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Psalm 10
It would be tempting to read this psalm and think it's all about how awful people are. And there would be a good point to that- a broken world produces broken people. And just as broken glass cuts the skin, broken people have a way of hurting one another.
But what if this psalm, as a worship song, is really about God? In the face of monumental evil, the psalmist is talking about God who defends the fatherless and takes trouble and grief in His hand. For every person who is suffering and hurting, God is there and acts as the defender and comforter. For every broken person, there is Jesus broken on the cross. For every person who weeps and longs for something to bind the broken pieces together, God takes care of it personally.
My prayer is that this psalm reminds you of the gracious love of God in whatever you may face today.
Blessings always,
Andy
But what if this psalm, as a worship song, is really about God? In the face of monumental evil, the psalmist is talking about God who defends the fatherless and takes trouble and grief in His hand. For every person who is suffering and hurting, God is there and acts as the defender and comforter. For every broken person, there is Jesus broken on the cross. For every person who weeps and longs for something to bind the broken pieces together, God takes care of it personally.
My prayer is that this psalm reminds you of the gracious love of God in whatever you may face today.
Blessings always,
Andy
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Psalm 9
As I open to the psalms this morning, I can't help but notice that the tune of this psalm is to a song called "The Death of the Son." I spent last night with a family as they mourned the death of a son. And so today, I dedicate these words to them. Maybe they will be helpful for you too, this morning.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed , a stronghold in times of trouble (vs 9). May the LORD be your refuge as darkness and grief seems oppressive, may the LORD be your hiding place when you feel like you can't be around any other people. May the LORD be strong walls to help you feel safe in times of uncertainty. May God's nearness fill you with peace. May your hope never perish, and may you always remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God.
The love of God. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We know this because of the death of the Son- Jesus Christ. In His death and resurrection, we are certain that God's love is a stronger love than anything we have ever known. God's love is the love that will leave the 99 sheep to search for the 1 lost and lonely sheep. God's love is the love that will stop at nothing to hold you in times of trial. I pray that the Spirit show you God's love as you grieve, tell stories, laugh, remember and hope. Amen.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed , a stronghold in times of trouble (vs 9). May the LORD be your refuge as darkness and grief seems oppressive, may the LORD be your hiding place when you feel like you can't be around any other people. May the LORD be strong walls to help you feel safe in times of uncertainty. May God's nearness fill you with peace. May your hope never perish, and may you always remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God.
The love of God. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We know this because of the death of the Son- Jesus Christ. In His death and resurrection, we are certain that God's love is a stronger love than anything we have ever known. God's love is the love that will leave the 99 sheep to search for the 1 lost and lonely sheep. God's love is the love that will stop at nothing to hold you in times of trial. I pray that the Spirit show you God's love as you grieve, tell stories, laugh, remember and hope. Amen.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Psalm 8
Sometimes, knowledge can rob us of a sense of mystery. I don't mean that in a way that is superstitious; rather I mean that in a way that acknowledges that in turning the world into a laboratory to be studied or a resource to be harvested, the world is robbed of its God-given majesty. Indeed, the creation points us to God. Creation reveals some of God's character. Certainly, creation only gets us so far. But in knowing God, creation brings out even more of God's attributes. David has discovered this while staring at the stars, and considering the animals across the world. Who are we, that we might be called the caretakers of creation? Who are human beings, that we might be elevated above the rest of creation and granted a special place? Who are we that we might be created in the image of God?
David also ends the psalm rightly, that we do not get to take credit for the goodness that God has bestowed on people. This is grace. And what David did know at the time of the writing of this psalm is that he was also pointing forward to a day when humanity would be restored to its original position in God's eye. Restoration comes in the person of Jesus Christ. The first few chapters of the book of Hebrews takes many Old Testament texts and shows how they point to Jesus. And the Incarnation - God taking on humanity - is what happens when God lowers Himself a little lower than the angels, and in that process takes on all authority in heaven and on earth. Indeed, heaven and earth are full of the glory of God. Amen.
David also ends the psalm rightly, that we do not get to take credit for the goodness that God has bestowed on people. This is grace. And what David did know at the time of the writing of this psalm is that he was also pointing forward to a day when humanity would be restored to its original position in God's eye. Restoration comes in the person of Jesus Christ. The first few chapters of the book of Hebrews takes many Old Testament texts and shows how they point to Jesus. And the Incarnation - God taking on humanity - is what happens when God lowers Himself a little lower than the angels, and in that process takes on all authority in heaven and on earth. Indeed, heaven and earth are full of the glory of God. Amen.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Psalm 7
David seems a little more self-critical in this psalm than the previous. In fact, of all the psalms where David demands for God to act against his enemies, this psalm may be the most self-reflective. David wonders in this psalm whether or not he has acted in a way to deserve the punishment he was receiving. Certainly, this psalm has many words that we don't normally pray. I haven't heard a prayer given in a long time that refers to God's wrath being expressed every day, or the flaming darts of God. Yet this psalm speaks to a longing that is deep within our souls- the need for peace.
"Bring to an end the violence of the wicked" (Psalm 7:9). We tire of bad news, of hostilities breaking out, and we don't even live in a warzone. We don't live in fear that our children are going to be taken and brainwashed into becoming child soldiers. We don't worry about being at Meijer's while it is being attacked by enemy raiders. We live comfortably, yet we still face the violence of the wicked all of the time. Men, women and children live every day under the constant threat of abuse and violence (at staggering rates). And as we live in a place of unspeakable violence hidden by doors and walls, we realize that we might be driving the person who will cure cancer out of school because we tell the child that he or she is stupid or worthless.
Yes, Lord, bring to an end the violence of the wicked. Examine my heart and find the ways I do violence to You, the people around me, and even the violence I do to myself. Release us all from the bonds to violence, so that we might know Your peace.
"Bring to an end the violence of the wicked" (Psalm 7:9). We tire of bad news, of hostilities breaking out, and we don't even live in a warzone. We don't live in fear that our children are going to be taken and brainwashed into becoming child soldiers. We don't worry about being at Meijer's while it is being attacked by enemy raiders. We live comfortably, yet we still face the violence of the wicked all of the time. Men, women and children live every day under the constant threat of abuse and violence (at staggering rates). And as we live in a place of unspeakable violence hidden by doors and walls, we realize that we might be driving the person who will cure cancer out of school because we tell the child that he or she is stupid or worthless.
Yes, Lord, bring to an end the violence of the wicked. Examine my heart and find the ways I do violence to You, the people around me, and even the violence I do to myself. Release us all from the bonds to violence, so that we might know Your peace.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Psalm 6
David lifts his head from a tear-soaked floor. He looks around, can see nothing because of the tears still brimming on his eyes. Waterworks born of human darkness. In the shadows of life he can see the vague silhouettes of enemies. Who they are, he cannot tell. All he knows is that they surround him, and he's too tired to fight them. Bones creaking with every movement, David can hardly lift himself. Why even try? He turns only to God, praying for deliverance that has seemingly taken too long.
The people of Israel gather around the Temple for another worship service. They are singing this psalm at the top of their lungs, competing with the noise of an army at the borders, swords at hand. They know that they don't have the army equipped to face down these invaders, and they're not even sure they can try. Blinded by tears of anguish and despair, they cry to the only one who can save them.
All around the world today, people are surrounded by foes. Some foes are in the mind, created by a mind broken by chemical imbalance or trauma. Some foes are real, scary and holding all the power. Somewhere along the line, their voice was forgotten. Nobody seems to mind their oppression and silencing. And so they pray these words, too weary to fight on their own, praying for deliverance and waiting for the day when God will free them too.
The people of Israel gather around the Temple for another worship service. They are singing this psalm at the top of their lungs, competing with the noise of an army at the borders, swords at hand. They know that they don't have the army equipped to face down these invaders, and they're not even sure they can try. Blinded by tears of anguish and despair, they cry to the only one who can save them.
All around the world today, people are surrounded by foes. Some foes are in the mind, created by a mind broken by chemical imbalance or trauma. Some foes are real, scary and holding all the power. Somewhere along the line, their voice was forgotten. Nobody seems to mind their oppression and silencing. And so they pray these words, too weary to fight on their own, praying for deliverance and waiting for the day when God will free them too.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Psalm 5
This psalm takes us down a journey, and it is not an easy journey to go down. It's the journey of a man with enemies. I don't have many personal enemies. I have people with whom I disagree, but many of them are among my best friends. I am a citizen in a country with enemies, so I might be able to claim enemies by extension. However, I do not know David's situation of having personal enemies who were actively out to hurt him. So I find this journey a tough one to relate to. But I'm sure that ancient Israel did not have a tough time relating- they always had enemies and (seemingly) were constantly at war with neighbors in the Old Testament.
This journey takes us right into God's court. This prayer is fairly simple- it lays out the requests and waits for God's action. Psalm 5 actively compares the righteous (psalmist) with the unrighteous (the enemies). It creates quite the us/them dynamic. And in our hearts, that might make sense. When we have enemies, it's very easy to see them in the us/them world. And it's easy to claim God's vengeance or wrath (or whatever) upon them. I read this Psalm after the cross of Christ, in which God's reconciling mission to the world is made pretty explicit. And as I read this Psalm, I admit that it is difficult to hold the Psalm with the cross.
Until I am reminded of the passage - "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, the "enemy" was Jesus Christ. He was declared guilty, and was banished for the sins of others (Psalm 5:10). I hear that and am reminded that God stands by the enemy as well as the friend. This Psalm does not afford me the right to demand that God hate the same people I do, it reminds me that God has brought down the barriers of hate in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May my prayers today be that God would peel away the hate in my heart and replace it with the love of Jesus Christ.
This journey takes us right into God's court. This prayer is fairly simple- it lays out the requests and waits for God's action. Psalm 5 actively compares the righteous (psalmist) with the unrighteous (the enemies). It creates quite the us/them dynamic. And in our hearts, that might make sense. When we have enemies, it's very easy to see them in the us/them world. And it's easy to claim God's vengeance or wrath (or whatever) upon them. I read this Psalm after the cross of Christ, in which God's reconciling mission to the world is made pretty explicit. And as I read this Psalm, I admit that it is difficult to hold the Psalm with the cross.
Until I am reminded of the passage - "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, the "enemy" was Jesus Christ. He was declared guilty, and was banished for the sins of others (Psalm 5:10). I hear that and am reminded that God stands by the enemy as well as the friend. This Psalm does not afford me the right to demand that God hate the same people I do, it reminds me that God has brought down the barriers of hate in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May my prayers today be that God would peel away the hate in my heart and replace it with the love of Jesus Christ.
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