Saturday, May 28, 2011

Psalm 1 & 2

These psalms are a refreshing read after the despair of much of our reading in Job.  Psalms can be divided into a number of sections.  Some are written by David, others by a variety of Priests.  Some are songs of praise; others seem to prayers of various sorts.  Prayers of thanksgiving and praise; prayers asking God's intervention and protections; prayers of contrition, remorse and repentance.  They were created for a number of reasons that we will try to speak of as we spend some time reading this beautiful part of the Bible that is often called the Psalter.

The 1st two psalms create a context for all that follows.  The first calls for obedience to the law and to Godly wisdom.  The 2nd indicates that only those who take refuge in Yahweh can hope to find success.  We do not know the author of the 1st psalm; the 2nd is attributed to David by Peter and John in the Book of Acts.  It is a royal psalm, written to be used at the coronation of a king from the Davidic lineage.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, but delights in the law of the Lord.  The righteous prevail and the sinner goes down to judgment.  No kingdom can stand against God's purpose in establishing David as king over Israel.  Serve the Lord with fear.  Blessed are those who take refuge in him.

The 1st verse of Psalm 1and the last verse of Psalm 2 provide blessings to those who who seek after the ways of Yahweh.

Would that we could order our days to serve the Lord in our rising up and our laying down.  How would the world be different.....be a better place if we could abide always in the ways that God has called us to.  Would their be less war?  Would there be less hunger?  fewer instances of abuse?  fewer children abandoned?  Why do the nations conspire and the people plot?  It is in vain.  God will judge and one day those who are found in Christ will receive an eternal reward and dwell in a land filled with milk and honey.  As I get older, I look more eagerly to the time when my eyes will close to the futility of this world and open to the glory that will be revealed.

I am eager to read the Psalms with you.  I know that we will experience some new insights into God's glory and our purpose as we share in these sacred texts.  God bless you on this Memorial Day Weekend.  I hope to see you on the Sabbath.

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