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.