Psalm 31 Take refuge in God

Psalm 31

This is another psalm of David where he starts off saying that he has taken refuge in God let him never be put to shame.

God is David's safe place where he turns when he has need of a rock of refuge or a fortress of protection.

In trust we are invited to, in the words of the first (and many later) martyrs of the Christian faith "Into your hands I commit my spirit, deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

God is remarkably good at hanging on to souls I believe, and committing oneself to the mercy of God is not in reality a foolish thing to do.

I'm going to leave most of the rest of the psalm, which describes David's troubles, enemies and how he called on God as it has been covered before and I'm sure will be again - it is not that I want to pass over honesty and feelings but I just don't want to type them again!

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD is how the Psalm finishes - trouble does not simply disappear when we call on god, they do become just a tad more manageable and in a sense I don't have to manage them alone any more.

Psalm 30 A song for opening ceremonies

Psalm 30

In the books of Kings and Chronicles David plans to build a temple for God.
God sent word though the prophet that David was not to build the temple as he has been a man of war, but the temple would be built by David's son.

Only slightly disappointed, David gave thanks to God and set in place as many preparations as he could for the building and, it seems, consecration of the temple that Solomon would take 7 years to build (not Solomon on his own, you understand, I suspect that he merely took the credit, like Hadrian for his wall)

God has lifted David from the fields, battle fields, deserts, and the depths. Never letting David's enemies gloat over his downfall.
When David called on God he healed him and lifted him from the realm of the dead and spared him from death.

"Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment , but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay through the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning"

The next bit of this Psalm seems interesting to me and a bit of a salutatory summary
"When I felt secure I said "I will never be shaken."
LORD, when you favoured me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

To you LORD I called; to the LORD I cried for mercy"

God turned David's wailing into dancing, removed his sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heard may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God I will praise you forever.  

For me it is a salutary lesson that I should not stop counting my blessings and that all I have ultimately is a gift from God.
This is a common theme in many places, not just in the Bible. 

Psalm 29 When God speaks

Psalm 29 

According to Google, this is the 300th post in my unremarkable guide to a truly remarkable book.

This is yet another Psalm of David,

"Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength."

"The voice of God is heard over the waters, the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters."

This is an echo of the first post in this blog - in Genesis 1 it says God spoke over the waters.
We know from experience that the same natural forces that bring life to earth are also sometimes violent, and of the life that has existed here only 0.01% is still here according to science.

"The voice of the LORD is powerful and majestic, breaking trees, dislodging mountains"

Such natural disasters are often attributed as "acts of God" by insurance companies who use it as an excuse not to pay out.

There was a rather clever film a few years ago called "The man who sued God", in which Billy Connolly's boat was struck by lightening and destroyed. His insurance company said it was not covered as it was an act of God - so Billy's character decided to sue the Catholic Church, Anglican church and Jewish Synagogue for losses as they are God's representatives.

The ending of the film is rather too twee and "Disney" for me. However it is interesting that during the film Billy's character actually gains more special things than he loses.

It is very difficult sometimes to see people suffering the aftermath of natural disasters, and I am glad that usually Christian organisations are among the first to respond.

The other thing is that sometimes you just have to watch a storm rage - it is often quite exhilarating.

Thanks for sticking with the blog for 299 posts, and have a very happy Christmas - chances are I will do another post on the 27th of December...

Psalm 28 Throwing the baby out with the bathwater?

Psalm 28

In this, another of David's Psalms, David is calling out to God. 
But if God remains silent David will be like those who go down to the pit - no longer able to worship God, totally beyond help.

"Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your most holy place."

If you recall some time ago in this blog we looked at Abraham - who negotiated with God to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, we get a similar feel here - "Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbours but harbour malice in their hearts"

God is asked to pay them back for their works, giving them what they deserve.

The next bit is interesting - we looked at Psalm 19 recently and that Psalm says that the heavens show the works of God's hands, this Psalm carries on "Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

Those who claim Science and Religion are enemies (usually serious students of neither discipline) accuse the church of being opposed to the theory of evolution, for example, and keeping people in the dark and ignorance. In actual fact, the official teaching of the church is that we do not disagree with evolution as a concept (or at least most of us don't) - who is to say that Evolution is not God's chosen way for life? We object to theories of evolution that eliminate God and leave us alone in a forsaken universe that exists purely by chance.

I believe in the next bit - "Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy and with m song I praise him"

The LORD is the strength o his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Echo of Psalm 23 here...

Psalm 27 You have 3 wishes

Psalm 27

As I write this it is the Sunday before Christmas and we are close to panto season.
Remember Aladdin? he meets a Genie (probably speaking like Robin Williams) who grants him 3 wishes. 
In this Psalm, David would have 2 that he did not actually want.

I bet you thought I'd lost track with the title of this post for a moment - go on - admit it!

With God as David's light and salvation he has no need to fear mere people. With God as David's stronghold he need fear for nothing.

When enemies advance to devour David they will stumble against the strength of God.

The next bit of this Psalm is what struck me - 

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek:  That I might dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek him in his temple.

Three wishes indeed - Who needs that many?

There was a bit in Psalm 23 where God acts as David's host and protector, this theme is carried forward here.

David's faith in God is unshakable - even if his own parents disown him, God will never do this.

The Psalm ends with a real faith statement 

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD: be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Sometimes when God seems a long way off please do not despair, I've sometimes struggled and God has seemed a long way off. I found that David was right - I did see the goodness of God in my life.

Don't forget to look for the Goodness of God - if you don't look how do you expect to see? 

Be strong, take heart, wait for God 
It is nearly Christmas a time where heaven and earth came close enough for angel song to be heard.

Psalm 26 "The faithful have nothing to fear"

Psalm 26

Over the last few years in this country the government has introduced legislation that can be used to curtail the liberties, movements and freedoms of people suspected of being potential terrorists, sometimes the information they have is so secret that even the accused cannot know what it is. However we are told "the innocent have nothing to fear" 

Why did I start with decidedly liberal rant? Well Psalm 26 starts with a plea from David "Vindicate me, LORD, for I have led a blameless life"

The innocent have nothing to fear? Hmm.

David states that he has not faltered in his trust of God and invites God to examine his heart and mind - never forgetting the unfailing love and faithfulness of God.

David does not, in an echo of Psalm 1, sit with the deceitful, nor associate with hypocrites, and he refuses to sit with the wicked.

David keeps his hands clean, washing them in innocence and goes to attend God's alter proclaiming praise for the wonderful deeds of God.

Location, location, location 

David loves the house where God lives (at this stage it was still a tent) and where the glory of God dwells.

David pleads - "Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.

"I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me."

"My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the LORD"

Psalm 25 Trusting in God

Psalm 25

"In you, LORD my God I put my trust. I trust in you: do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me"

David has his complete trust in God - sometimes I have to admit that I trust in "God plus" - that is God plus my job, or my abilities. I am aware that I have a job and abilities through the gift of God and I really should be more grateful to God who has given me a job I enjoy.

The psalm continues saying that no one who hopes in God will be put to shame - but shame will come on the treacherous.

I think I can echo the prayer in the next bit - 
Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.

God's mercy and love are a constant through history - though it seems that David did have spells of rebellion in his youth - which he asks God to to forget.

Jesus actually said, on the subject of conversion, "There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents than over 100 righteous people who don't need to repent" - ok this is a bit of a paraphrase, but the sentiment is true.

The other theme I get from this Psalm is that God is really good and upright, but he loves his people who try to live according to his ways.

Psalm 24 "It's no Psalm 23 is it?"

Psalm 24

I'm sure I've seen this Psalm described as a "Song of ascents" and would possibly have been written for the people to sing as they made their way to Jerusalem 3 times a year to visit the temple.

When I was young we used to sing a song inspired by this Psalm to the tune of Purcell's trumpet voluntary - it is a bit cheesy I know, but it is a good tune nonetheless - even if as a trombonist I want something more like the theme from I'm sorry I haven't a clue!

There is something quite amazing when we start - "The earth is the LORD's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it" - Wow, what a great gift we have from God.

I know that all too often we don't look after the world that we have been lent - for a short space of time at that. I think the fact that we are living on a borrowed world, that really does not belong to us means that we have an obligation to cherish and look after it and not leave it in a mess after we have gone.
Also we often do not recognise others as belonging to God as much as we do.

Those who worship God with clean hands and a pure heart are worthy to ascend the mountain of God and stand in the holy place- and these people will receive blessing and vindication from God.

I really love the last 3 verses of this Psalm - 
I've mentioned before that some time ago I did a pilgrimage to Walsingham in Norfolk to the shrine of our lady (personally the shrine did nothing for me and the main thing was the journey) however I can picture a band of weary pilgrims, having travelled for days and trudging up the last hill into Jerusalem shouting in celebration 

"Lift up your heads you gates, be lifted up you ancient doors that the king of glory may come in"

A second group shouting out - perhaps from inside? "Who is this King of glory?"

"The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle"

"Lift up your heads you gates, lift them up you ancient doors, that the king of glory may come in"

"Who is this king of glory?"

"The LORD almighty - he is the king of glory"

At this point would be a party, celebration, thanksgiving and re-union.

Psalm 23 - The Psalm everybody knows!

Psalm 23

There are a total of 150 psalms, and 149 of them are not Psalm 23. This is undoubtedly the best known of all the Psalms, you must have heard of it!

Following directly after the harrowing cry of that started Psalm 22, this is a pastoral psalm with comforting imagery.

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall lack nothing
He leads me beside still waters  he restores my soul.

This Psalm puts me in mind of the first sight we have of the future king David - Samuel the prophet asked Jesse (David's father) "is this all your sons?" and is told - there is still the youngest, he is out in the fields tending the sheep.
David is sent for and comes running in "ruddy and handsome" is the description if I remember correctly.

At Christmas (just over 2 weeks away as I write this) the first people told of Jesus birth were shepherds watching over their flocks by night.
Jesus called himself the good shepherd.
As far as I understand it though , Shepherds were generally regarded as somewhat disreputable - they often did not attend all the sacred functions, they tended to work every day including the sabbath as the sheep need tending every day otherwise they get lost, injured or plain eaten by wild animals.

He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil,
For you are with me, your rod and your staff comfort me.

Note that in this idyllic pastoral scene with quiet waters (sheep are apparently not the best white water rafters in the animal kingdom!) there are still very dark places. However God is with us in these places - however the comfort found in the rod and staff are a bit odd to me - the rod and staff would have been used to prevent the sheep from wandering off too far and generally used to either prod or or use force to change the path they want to choose.

Whether David is a closet glutton for beatings, or if he is being reminded in the dark place that God is still watching his path and has not taken his eyes off his flock, I'll leave to you!

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

One of the key parts of life in the middle east is the offering of hospitality - and for God to prepare a meal for David in the presence of his enemies is showing that David's enemy is now God's enemy - David is under God's protection while he is in his house 

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.


This Psalm has been set to many tunes over the years, so even if you have never set foot in a church before you may have heard this psalm sung. Here it is as the theme tune from The Vicar of Dibley  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZN1oVir5A 

Psalm 22 A shout echoes through history

Psalm 22

I have to admit that this psalm just sends a shiver down my spine when I read it - it is in total contrast to the last couple of psalms.

Jesus quoted this psalm - verse 1 "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" were some of Jesus last words recorded in the Gospels.

This Psalm resonates so closely with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ that is is regarded as prophetic.

The Psalm starts out with a cry of Anguish to a God who has hidden his face and does not answer.

Verses 3 to 5 reflect a painful truth - God is still in heaven - the one who Israel praises, who the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) put their trust and who were not put to shame. I don't mean the truth in itself is painful, just from the point of despair - knowing that God is in his heaven when all is not right with the world is not that comforting to me!

The next few verses come back to earth with a thump - "I am a worm, not a man, scorned and despised" 

On the cross Jesus had abuse heaped on him "he trusted in God, let God save him" (Verse 8) 

Jesus was poured out like water in the crucifixion - one of the effects of being crucified apparently was that many of the joints in the arms and upper body were put under tremendous strain and often dislocated as the cross is dropped into the hole. 
Other last words of Jesus on the cross were "I'm thirsty" - perhaps echoing verse 15? my mouth is dried up like a potsherd and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.

The strong enemies surrounding Jesus pierced his hands and his feet (verse 16) and the execution detail divided Jesus clothes between themselves, gambling on who got what

I don't know what circumstances David was in when he wrote these words - I suspect that, for David, they had a touch of poetic license about them? 
Christians believe that scripture is inspired by God and that God inspired David to write this particular Psalm as a foretelling of Jesus sacrifice.

The Psalm finishes with words of hope - "I will declare your name to my people....... For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one.

All the rich onf the earth will feast and worship, all who go down to the dust will kneel before him - those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him, future generations will be told about the Lord - they will proclaim his righteousness declaring to a people yet unborn 

HE HAS DONE IT!

On the Cross Jesus last words were "It is finished" - or it could be translated "Accomplished" 

You know what Napoleon said about Jesus?

"I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him."

--Napoleon

Psalm 21 Rejoicing in the strength of God

Psalm 21

This is another of King David's Psalms, this one very clearly written from his point of view

The king rejoices in your strength, LORD, how great is his joy in the victories you give.

You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

In this Psalm, David acknowledges that God has ultimately given him a crown and kingdom.

I think that following David's example here is a good thing - I personally need to specifically take time and thank God for all the marvellous things that he has given.

The mere fact I am able to write a blog and publish it on the internet is something that has not been possible had I not had the great blessing to be born when I was.
Access to the internet and a computer really is amazing.

On top of that I have a job I enjoy that is sufficiently well paid to pay for my needs and (most) of my wants.

Sometimes I have to take a step back and look at how much God has done - not only materially, but as a Christian I have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ 

Psalm 20 A prayer of blessing

Psalm 20 

This is another Psalm of David 

The prayer is one that I personally agree with 

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress, may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember your sacrifices and accept your burned offerings.

May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

What does this mean? I'd rather like to win the lottery and retire to a paradise tropical island!
Having said that I don't really think the deep desires of my heart and my plans actually involve weather and sea related lounging around.

Now this I know, writes David, the LORD gives victory to his anointed. 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

I don't think I can add anything much to this psalm, so I'll keep it short today.

Psalm 19 Look into the sky

Psalm 19

This is one of the psalms that you can imagine inspiring some of the great scientists of history - The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

You can imagine these words inspiring the great astronomers of history, in fact you don't need to - they wrote about it themselves.

Great scientists like Copernicus and Kepler and Newton  struggled to account for the movements they observed in the planets in an attempt to understand the knowledge that is being spoken in the heavens.

One of the current  British TV science stars is Professor Brian Cox who is very keen to point out that the same laws that affect celestial bodies like the galaxy also apply here on planet earth.

The Law of God is perfect, refreshing, making wise the simple, 

the Precepts of the LORD are right - more precious than gold, sweeter than honey.

the Psalm ends with

May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

It is chapters like this that convince me that any conflict between science and religion is fabricated and in reality there is no conflict.

Psalm 18 I thank God when a plan comes together

Psalm 18

This is a song that King David sang when God had delivered him from all his enemies and the hand of Saul.

If you recall the story of David, he spent a long time being hated and persecuted by king Saul after he had been anointed as king.

One of the first things David did was compose a hymn of praise to God.

The psalm starts "I love you, LORD, my strength"

The imagery of this Psalm are quite good 
God is a rock in whom David takes refuge, his shield and the strength of his salvation.

I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise and he saved him from his enemies.

When David was entangled in the cords of death. overwhelmed by torrents of destruction and at the gates of death, David called on the LORD who heard him from his temple,

The rest of the psalm goes on at legnth about God and his dealings with people and David - 
It can be summed up perhaps in verses 25-30

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless.
To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble, but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

The Psalm ends with the following 
"The LORD lives, Praise to my rock.
Exalted be God my saviour.

I think there is a good moral to this psalm - when a plan comes together give praise to God - after all in reality it is his plan 

Psalm 17 A plea to God

Psalm 17

This is one of David's prayers, there is no background given for this so it'll have to speak for itself.

Do you remember the Lords prayer? 
the start of this psalm is somewhat different in tone

"Hear me LORD, my plea is just, listen to my cry" 
David here maintains that he is innocent of deceit and has not planned any evil, he has refused any bribes and by following the law has kept away from the paths of the violent.

"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me, turn your hear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love"

David is confident in this Psalm that God absolutely will answer when he calls - this is a contrast to Psalm 13 which we looked at in an earlier post.

It seems that David is still beset with enemies and wicked men who want to destroy him but now David's prayer is that God would hold him as the apple of his eye and hide him in the shadow of his wings from the wicked men..

You know - I never really pictured God as having wings? Though the Bible does use the metaphor of a mother bird protecting her young under her wings. 

The enemies of David close up their calloused hearts, talk arrogantly and have tracked him down and surrounded him, ready to pounce on him like a lion waiting to pounce from cover.

"Rise up, LORD, confront them, bring them down"
David prays to be rescued from those who are of the world and only the world and whose reward is in this life.
May they eat what God has stored up for the wicked, with leftovers for their children and grandchildren.

As for David, in his faith he will be vindicated and see God's face, when he wakes up we ill be satisfied with seeing God's likeness.

It seems a bit unusual to not start a prayer with "Our Father" or similar, I believe that prayer is a lot more than a set form of words.

Psalm 16 Keep watching God

Psalm 16

David wrote this "miktam" - an unknown musical term

David says "you are my God, apart from you I have no good thing"
The holy people in the land are the ones who are noble and delight Davi.

Those who run after other gods suffer more and more - David declares that he will not pour out offerings of blood to such gods or even speak their names.

God is David's portion and cup who makes his lot secure, the boundaries of his land are extremely pleasant and with God his inheritance is delightful.

I keep my eyes always on the LORD, with him at my right hand I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices, my body will also rest secure.

 Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the paths of life, you fill me joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

The verse about God not abandoning him to death nor letting his faithful one see decay are quoted about the resurrection of Jesus 

Psalm 15 God's neighbours

Psalm 15

This Psalm starts with asking who may live in the house of God and live on his holy mountain - in other words who are God's neighbours?

The description of these people is actually rather nice - it would be a whole lot nicer if I saw myself in this description a bit more clearly! 

The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from the heart, 
Whose tongue utters no slander who do no wrong to a neighbour and casts no slur on others.

Who despises an evil person, but honours those who fear the LORD.
Who keep an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.

Who lends money to the poor at no interest, who does not accept a bribe against the innocent

Whoever does these things will never be shaken (and can live next door to God)

My thoughts now - or observations 

When the law was given to Moses at Mount Sinai the Israelites were strictly ordered not to so much as set foot on the mountain, even an animal that strayed was to be killed.

People did live in the house of God - the temple and tabernacle before it - the priests on duty would stay there day and night.

The prophet Samuel was recorded as living in the tent of God 

Sorry for the  very poor quality of the upcoming joke - that I'm explaining it is probably going to kill it futher, but in the book of Revelation there is a beast whose number is 666 (the famous number of the beast) - is 668 the neighbour of the beast?

(note for non British people who may be reading this - in the UK  a lot of streets have odd number houses on one side and even numbers on the other side - hence 668 rather than 667.)

You know I wish I hadn't bothered with that last bit ...........

Psalm 14 When God is removed

Psalm 14

I think this Psalm should be read by Mr T from the A team - who talked a lot about fools.

Now just to be clear, a fool in this context is not somebody lacking intelligence nor is it a comedian or jester it is a person with no moral compass or morally deficient.

The fool says in his heart "there is no God" - they are corrupt and commit vile deeds.

there are those who reach a position of power who do not believe that there is any higher power in the universe.

God looks to see if there are any with understanding and who does good?

Evildoers know nothing, eating people as though they are bread never calling on God.

God is present in the company of the righteous and is the refuge of the poor.

Oh that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion. when the LORD restores his people let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

"I pity the fool" - Mr T

Psalm 13 alone with my thoughts

Psalm 13

If you believe in God, has he ever felt so far away that he might as well have forgotten you? 
David did, and there have been times, if I'm honest, that I have felt this way too - in my experience living faith sometimes means that one simply has to carry on in the utter belief that God is there, he does see what is going on and eventually the barren times will come to an end. I know that at some stages in my Christian faith the only thing that kept me in church, praying and taking part was that I made a promise that I would do these things in front of a lot of people and I am blooming well not going to break my promise!

This Psalm strikes a chord with my experience - 
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Perhaps David's response actually is helpful - 
Look on me and answer, LORD my God, give light to my eyes or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say " I have overcome him" and wicked men will rejoice when he falls.

David is not sugar coating this - it is, apparently literally, life or death to him

Then trusting in God's nature and in the history David knows of God he says
I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Then an action - I will sing the LORD'S praise, for he has been good to me.

In my time there have been times when I have been close to God and believe that God was close to me - the memory of these times did keep me going during the times that God was far away and probably looking the other way from where I was.

Please don't be discouraged if God seems a long way off and keeping faith is, in the words of Rudyard Kipling

..... force your heart and nerve and sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

From "IF"

I find Sometimes going through the motions is all there is. It is either motions or nothing - if that is where you are I pray that God will give light to your eyes and surround you with his unfailing love

Psalm 12 Faithful friends

Psalm 12

This is another of David's Psalms, "According to Sheminith" (Whatever that means!)

It seems that David is feeling the pressure when he wrote this Psalm, nobody is faithful anymore, loyal people seem to have vanished from the gene pool, people lie to their neighbours smiling and flattering but harbouring deception in reality.

David asked God to silence flattering lips and boasts and those who think that they can talk their way into or out of any trouble and have no need of God as an advocate.

God says because the poor are plundered and the needy groan in suffering he will take action and protect them.

God's words are flawless - compared to silver and highly refined gold 

The psalm ends with the faith that God keeps the needy safe and protected from the wicked who strut about when mankind finds what is detestable honourable.

Psalm 11 Trust God

Psalm 11

This is another Psalm of David.

David was a person who really trusted in God, reading his story in the history books earlier in the blog, David refused to take revenge on Saul who was plotting to kill him for a number of years.

Who can tell the one who trusts in God completely to go and fly away to the mountain - the wicked bend their bows to shoot the bird as he flees, shooting from ambush and shadows.

God is in his temple, sitting on his throne in heaven and can observe the actions of humans, the psalm talks about God examining the righteous but having a marked dislike for the wicked who he hates with a passion

God loves justice, and the upright will one day see his face

Psalm 10 Sometimes evil prospers

Psalm 10 

Why does God allow bad things to happen?
This is a tough question - there is no real answer to this, but perhaps there is hope in the psalms.

The psalm starts with a question to God and then a vision of the evil.
there are a number of words that appear in the description of the wicked - words like Arrogant, scheming, boasts, blessing the greedy and pride, lies, threats.
The wicked man has no thought of or room for God or morality, yet his ways make him rich

He lies in wait to ambush the innocent and defenceless, always seeking the next victim for his schemes.

The Psalm ends with the prayer that God would not forget the helpless but lift up his hand to defend them.

Why do wicked people revile God and assume that they will never be held to account for their actions?
Yet in faith we believe that God sees the trouble of the afflicted, and takes account of the grief. 

The Lord is king for ever, and causes the rise and falls of nations and empires. Yet God helps and defends the weak and the fatherless and oppressed.

Sure often bad things happen, and unscrupulous people prosper - this is when mankind can either shine with the light of God or go to the blackest night.

Psalm 9 One song to the tune of another

Psalm 9

The introduction of this psalm says it is to the tune of "Death of the Son".
I have no idea what this tune sounds like - but the words are fairly upbeat.

My all time favourite show on radio is "I'm Sorry I haven't a clue" which has appeared twice a year on BBC Radio 4 more or less since 1972 - so it has been going as long as I have. One game they play on there is called "one song to the tune of another - in which a contestant (usually a comedian) has to sing the words of one song to the tune of another - hence the name!

I tried the opening couple of verses to the Darth Vader Imperial march from Star wars and certainly in the NIV version of the Bible it fits.

The first 12 verses are very upbeat, singing praises to the most high, enemies falling back, God in heaven ruling the world in righteousness, a refuge for the oppressed, stronghold in times of trouble.
finishing off the positive with an exhortation to sing the praises of God and proclaim his deeds among the nations.

Verse 13 then changes to a plea that God would see how David's enemies persecute him, and that God in his mercy would lift him up from the death's door

Verse 15 - The nations have fallen into the pit they dug and snared in the traps they have set. God is known for his acts of Justice and he does not forget the needy, nor crush the hope of the afflicted.

Verse 19 - Arise Lord, don't let mortals triumph, remind them that they are in fact only mortal.


This is quite different from Psalm 8 - 

Anyway - one song to the tune of another - I bet you will always wish for this combination?
My favourite off the radio was Evlis Presley's "Love me tender" to the theme tune of the archers.

While Shepherds watched to the tune of Ilkley Moor baht tat is pretty well known
Immortal Invisible God only wise to the Wombles theme tune
At the name of Jesus to the theme of Hawaii 5-0 
And my favourite Amazing Grace to the tune of house of the rising sun...

Feel free to share any others that you may know in comments

Psalm 8 From the mouths of infants

Psalm 8

I remember when I was a teenager at a church weekend retreat pondering the words of this psalm - we were staying on a farm, camping and at night in the country away from street lighting. When it is dark there, boy is it dark and the stars just go on forever with more distant, less bright stars between the closer, brighter constellations. Unfortunately towns, cities and street lighting just kill the subtle star light in our night sky.
Anyway I was looking at the clear night sky and thinking "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars which you have set in place, who am I that you are mindful of me, humans that you care for us?"

Next morning I woke early and watched dawn in the valley with the mist just on the river - and I think I got an answer - God does not just do stars, he has a good line in beauty here too.

But God really does some amazing things and his majesty can be seen if one has eyes that perceive.

Men of faith, like Kepler, Copernicus, Newton and Galileo all considered the heavens, the movement of stars and sought to understand the workings of God in the heavens and in so doing discovered some amazing things about how the universe works.

From the praise of children and infants God gains strength. Which seems a bit weird, children can be a bit fidgety in church - yet God is strengthened by their praise.
Jesus famously told his disciples that unless they believe like children, they cannot enter the kingdom of God and he welcomed children and spent time with them and their parents.
By the way - anybody with a 2-3 year old will know that belief and praise come with a LOT of questions. 

Anyway back to the psalm - God has been so generous to mankind that he has made us a little lower than angels and crowned us with glory and honour and given us responsibility for the planet we live on - we can use (or misuse) the resources of the world.

O LORD, our LORD, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.

Can I share something that happened to me yesterday? I think it is pertinent to this chapter.
It happened at work, somehow the conversation in the kitchen turned from kettles to God - not sure how and one of my colleagues said he did not believe in God, but he knew I did and respected my faith as I respect his views.
However he does not hold God's name as majestic or excellent and many other people feel the same.
He mentioned a friend of his who was paralysed in an accident who became an atheist at the time of his accident - he prayed desperately that he would not be paralysed and when he woke up God had not answered his prayer .

Now I don't have an answer for this person, or for anybody whose prayer is not answered but I did have a thought - 
Jesus, before he was arrested, beaten, tortured, flogged and executed prayed desperately to God "Take this cup of suffering from me" - on that occasion God did not answer his prayer either.

Psalm 7 Concerning Cush

Psalm 7

This Psalm is headed A shiggaion (unknown word) of David, Which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjaminite.

It appears that Cush is a relative of king Saul who accused David of violence and usurping royal authority.

The sections of the psalm seem to change from victorious to limping along - 

Lord my God, I take refuge in you, save and deliver me from all who pursue me or they will tear me apart like a lion and rup me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

the second section goes 

Lord me God. If I have done this and there is guilt on my hands - If I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe- then let my enemy pursue and overtake me, let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

However David is confident of his innocence before God as he calls on God to rouse his anger against his enemies rage and to decree Justice.


I like that David is humble enough to accept that if he is guilty then he deserves to be trampled in the ground.

One of the themes of the Bible is Justice, somebody far wiser than I once said "True peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice" 

The psalm ends with David giving thanks to God because of his righteousness.

Psalm 6 incomprehensible musical direction

Psalm 6

The musical directions for this psalm dictate musical instruments and probably the tune - though nobody has ever worked out what the actual word in Hebrew means.
This Psalm is attributed to king David.

The Psalm is a prayer that God would not be angry with David and heal him.

The psalm starts off with David in distress and praying to God and ends with David certain that God has heard him.

This appears to be fairly common in the psalms

Psalm 5 with wind accompaniment

Psalm 5

This Psalm is written for the director of music. For pipes, a Psalm of David.

For those who don't know I attempt with limited success to play trombone - yes. yes I'm sure my success would improve if I practise - though my popularity at home may take a bit of a hit!

In the orchestra the poor brass section is stuck pretty near the back and peer myopically at the distant figure of the conductor through a vertiable forest of violin and viola bows, in this case the strings and the wind each get a turn 

David begins by asking God to listen to his laments and hear his cry for help - king David acknowledges before God that he is both his king and his God and the one David's prayers are directed to.

Every morning David lays his requests to God knowing that God will hear, and he then waits expectantly to see.
God does not welcome evil people nor does wickedness delight him, the arrogant cannot stand in the presence of God.
Yet David by the love of God is allowed into his house and in reverence and respect he bows 

David asks God to lead him by God's righteousness because he has so many enemies he asks that God make the path to him straight 

Most of the rest of the psalm describes David's enemies in quite unflattering terms - 
Not one word from their mouth can be trusted - their heart is filled with malice
Their throat is an open grave and their tongues lie 

But let all who take refuge in God be glad, let them sing for joy as God spreads his protection over them so they may rejoice in God.

Psalm 4 With strings attached

Psalm 4

The reason for the title on this is that in italics in my bible it says "For the director of music. With Stringed instruments. A Psalm of David" before this chapter starts in earnest

No idea on the original tune, but then again it probably sounds different in Hebrew anyway!

This chapter/Psalm sounds a bit weird to me - is it written from David's point of view or from God's point of view?

The Psalm starts "Answer me when I call on you my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress and have mercy on me and hear my prayer." 

So far so good - this sound like David praying that God will hear him - but it goes on 
"How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods"

Is this a response of God or is David seeking glory? 

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Is this David being holier than thou? The LORD hears when I call to him.
One of my friends has a mug at home that says "Jesus loves you - But I'm his favourite" -this verse put me in mind of that motto.

Some versions of the Bible have verse 4 Tremble and do not sin, others have In your anger do not sin.
If you lie awake at night we are advised to search our hearts and be silent - apparently noise will happen when I do drop off as people tell me that I snore!

Many people today seek prosperity - there is a branch of theology called the prosperity gospel I do not necessarily agree with this "God loves me and gave me a (name item here) and if you believe he will also make you rich and wealthy and give you a nice car/holiday home/whatever." God can do that but for me a better blessing is that God's face shines on me/us and our hearts are filled with joy in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.

As I write this there are many Christian believers and agencies (as well as secular organisations I admit) working to help sufferers of the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa - these people put their lives at risk, they may not be in a happy place, but one British nurse who caught the disease and was transported back to the UK for treatment has now gone back of his own choice to support the work. I do not know if this man is a Christian by profession, but I admire his courage and willingness to help in this desperate situation, and to do so cheerfully.

In the last few decades we have largely had peace in Western Europe which is something we take for granted, however this psalm written by David, a man of war finishes

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety" 

Psalm 3

Psalm 3

This Psalm is attributed to King David when he fled from Absalom, his son.

David, for all his greatness and his heart to follow God, David did not really have what you might call a straightforward life.

Despite the fact that he has many foes in Israel (Absalom's uprising was quite popular) and they believe that God is not going to deliver him from Absalom, yet God is a shield to David who answers David's prayer.

Sustained by strength from God David is able to sleep and wake refreshed and need not fear the uprising.

The Psalm ends with a prayer that God will arise and deliver David striking his enemies in the jaw and breaking the teeth of the wicked.

Also my the Lord bring Blessing on his people and bring deliverance.

Psalm 2 Raging nations, conspiring kings

Psalm 2

How many people get angry with a "god" they don't believe in? 
Talking of God on the TV program QI turns the usually extremely affable host Stephen Fry into a raging fanatic against faith.

This psalm talks of similar ideas - kings, rulers and nations rise up against god and his chosen one (In hebrew this word is Messiah in Greek it is Christ) saying let us throw off their shackles and break their chains.

In some cases the ruling classes have managed to throw off the "chains and shackles" of faith and morality and the results have usually ended in the deaths of innocent poor people who hold a different view.

God in heaven laughs at these "enlightened" people and scoffs them.
He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them with his wrath.

God established his king on mount Zion in Jerusalem.
Jesus quoted verse 7 "You are my son, today I have become your father"

God promises to hand the nations to his son as his inheritance with the ability to break the nations and rule over the kings.

The critics of faith will object to this psalm no doubt - objecting that the church and God want to keep humanity in chains and prevent mankind from reaching our full potential.

Having learned about our "Full potential" in the death camps of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, the Islamic State actions in the middle East and actions by people who have "thrown off" the old fashioned responsibility and morals. I think living in a land where the legal system is rooted in a long association with the Christian faith is a far better prospect.

Psalm 1 Walking, standing, sitting

The book of Psalms is a collection of songs and poems, 150 in all

When I was at secondary school my English teacher, Mrs Radley if memory serves tried very hard to enthuse the class with the timeless qualities of Shakespeare, and in particular Romeo and Juliet (the play we had to study), and how remarkable that hundreds of years later people still find inspiration from Shakespeare

And now - drum roll please - 26 years later here is about a third of the speech that we had to memorise for homework

I fear too early for my mind mis gives some consequence yet hanging in the stars may bitterly something or other
Hey - I was not that interested and never really saw eye to eye with the English department at school!
Ok I've looked it up and the whole speech goes -

I fear too early, for my mind misgives

Some consequence yet hanging in the stars

Shall bitterly begin his fearful date

With this night’s revels, and expire the term

Of a despisèd life closed in my breast

By some vile forfeit of untimely death.

But he that hath the steerage of my course,

Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen.

thanks Wikepedia :-)

However - I'd say that Shakespeare is a very poor second to the Bible both in terms of inspiration and longevity.

Consider the heart warming Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing, he makes me walk in green pastures and beside still waters and refreshes my soul
Take the intimate Psalm 137 Lord you examine me and you know me,
Or the sorrow of Psalm 51 Have mercy on me oh God
Or the despair of Psalm 24 My God, My God why have you forsaken me?

Anyway - let us start from the first song

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
But whose delight is in the law of the LORD.

There is a bit of a tale here - walking the same way as the wicked can occur on a journey but the choice is to walk the same pace, standing in the company of sinners shows that a level of comfort with the company has built up, and sitting and mocking those on their faith journey is surely having fallen from the law of God.

What does it mean to delight in the law of the LORD? How do you meditate day and night on the law?

Such a person though is like a tree planted close to a river but in good soil and bearing good fruit.
A wicked person though is a bit like dead leaves (it is autumn when I am writing this and there are a lot of dead leaves flying in the wind)