Summer of Psalms 2024

"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast their cords from  us'...Happy are all who take refuge in God."

In the famous work Messiah, composer G.F. Handel uses the Scriptures to tell the story of Jesus' life, from predictions of his birth, through his Passion, and ending with his ascension to heaven. One of the most riveting arias for a bass singer is "Why do the nations so furiously rage together?" 

"Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right...I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words."

When is it okay to call upon the name of the Lord? (Not meant to be a trick question.) The Psalms teach us that we are able to call on the name of the Lord in every circumstance, from celebration to sadness, and know that the Lord will hear us. Even in our moments of greatest need, God is still God; and so we say "Blessed be the rock of my salvation."

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night but find no rest...But I am a worm and not human, scorned by others and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they sneer at me; they shake their heads; “Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”

Psalm 22 is the psalm appointed for Good Friday, as Jesus echoes its opening words from the cross. The entire psalm points toward the suffering of the Messiah, paralleled in the prophecy of Isaiah. As you listen to another chorus from Handel's Messiah, imagine that the singers embody the crowd that mocked and sneered at Jesus, leading to his suffering and death.

"You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”

Psalm 32 is a psalm expressing the joy and relief of being forgiven by God after confessing sin. It emphasizes the importance of honesty before God, contrasting the burden of unconfessed sin with the peace of repentance. The psalm concludes with a call to rejoice and be glad in the Lord, as He guides and protects those who trust in Him.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

Psalm 46 speaks of trust and divine protection in God. Its words inspired Martin Luther during times of hardship, leading him to write the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which became a cornerstone of the Lutheran faith. This psalm's assurance of God's steadfastness and its call to be still and recognize His power resonate deeply within Lutheran theology, underscoring faith in God's unwavering support.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit."

Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance in which David confesses his sins and pleads for God's mercy and cleansing. He earnestly asks God to create a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within him, emphasizing the need for internal transformation. David commits to living righteously and teaching others God's ways, recognizing that true sacrifice is a broken spirit and contrite heart.

God is calling us daily to renew our hearts and our spirits, seek God's forgiveness, and lead with humility in our relationships with God and others.

"Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise...Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals."

Psalm 66 is a song of praise celebrating God's mighty deeds and faithfulness, calling all the earth to worship God and recounting how God has delivered and refined God's people through trials. Are we inviting others to "Come and see" what God is doing in our lives?

"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.'”

One of the most beloved songs in our hymnal, especially for funerals and memorial services, Michael Joncas' "On Eagle's Wings" is a setting of Psalm 91. Psalm 91 declares God's protection and refuge for those who trust in God. Even while we are alive, God will keep us safe, promising us deliverance from harm and fear.

"O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.”

Psalm 96 is a call to sing a new song to the Lord, proclaiming God's salvation and declaring God's glory among all nations. It emphasizes God's greatness, urging all creation to worship God with joy.

In our study of the Psalms, it is important to remember that the entire collection is the songbook for worship, and is still used today by both Jews and Christians. In Jewish worship, Kabbalat Shabbat (קַבָּלַת שַׁבָּת; literally "Reception of the Shabbat") designates the beginning of the Sabbath and, in a more liturgical sense, is the part of the Friday evening service which precedes the regular evening prayer and solemnly welcomes Sabbath bride. This part of the service opens with Psalms 95-99 and Psalm 29, corresponding to the six days of creation.

“I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”

Psalm 116 expresses gratitude to God for God’s deliverance from death and distress, highlighting the psalmist's deep love and devotion to the Lord. 

Do we also trust in God's faithfulness during difficult times? Do we respond with a heart full of gratitude and a commitment to live faithfully according to God’s will when God delivers us from our challenges?  

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Almost midway through Psalm 119 is verse 105, quoted above. One of the most famous settings of this text is the song "Thy Word," written in 1984 by Amy Grant and set to music composed by Michael W. Smith. This song is not at all ambiguous in its affirmation of the importance of God’s word in our lives and the role of Jesus as a “guide” who is beside us “to the end.”

Enjoy this video from the Dove Awards with some more of the background story to the song.

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.”

Another of the famous Songs of Ascent, this one written by King David, Psalm 122 is a song of rejoicing and prayer for Jerusalem, celebrating the joy of gathering for worship and seeking the city’s peace and prosperity. “I Was Glad” is an anthem written by C. Hubert H. Parry in 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and used in every coronation since.

This recording is taken from the recent coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Listen, about half way through the song for the “Vivat” announcement, declaring “Long live” King Charles (Rex Carolus) and Queen Camilla (Regina Camilla). 

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”

Psalm 133 celebrates the beauty and blessing of unity among God’s people, comparing it to precious oil and refreshing dew that bring life and abundance. We are called to work for harmony and cooperation within our communities, recognizing that such unity is both pleasing to God and beneficial to all. 

The first verse of this psalm is used faithfully in both Jewish and Christian worship, including a famous setting by Leonard Bernstein in The Chichester Psalms. The setting included here was used recently at Zion.

“Let my prayer rise up as incense before you and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.”

Like Psalm 95 is closely associated with the service of Morning Prayer, Psalm 141 is closely associated with the service of Evening Prayer. The psalmist invites us to plead for God's protection and guidance, asking God to guide our words and actions while avoiding the temptations and traps of the world. Furthermore, the psalmist teaches us to seek God's help in maintaining righteous behavior, being mindful of our speech and actions, and avoiding influences that lead us away from God.