Psalm 109 Is it right to wish people ill?

Psalm 109

This is attributed to David and is dedicated to the director of music

My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent for people who are wicked and deceitful have opened their mouths against me.

David seems to be feeling a bit fed up with those who detract from him, repaying his friendship with hatred and accusations.

As a man of prayer (verse 4) David asks God for help in dealing with these people.
His request is that God send an evil opponent, and an accuser to stand at his right hand.
When he is tried let him be found guilty and may his prayers condemn him.

Following the suicide of Judas Iscariot at the first meeting of the Church they quote this Psalm "let another take his place of leadership" - A guy called Matthias is chosen as an apostle to replace Judas.

David continues to pray that his children are destitute and fatherless, all his goods seized by creditors and his family wiped out from the earth.

 This seems a bit on the harsh side to me, although this bad person does sound like a nasty piece of work.
He never though of doing a kindness, but hounded the poor, needy and broken hearted.- he loves to pronounce a curse - may it rebound on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing 
Cursing people suits him like well worn clothes.

There are some people that I have very little respect for in this world, but I don't think I want this to befall them - I'm not going to add "with the possible exception of Nigel Farage and Donald Trump..."

Before God has taken action against those who arrogantly victimise the needy and poor, David will praise God who blesses while those who are bad curse.

I think sometimes that we just have to trust that God knows what he is doing and that those who oppose us are not as powerful as God who blesses us.

Jesus teaches that we are to bless those who would curse us. In so doing we can "heap burning coals on their heads" - this could result in either a very warm head, or that it was traditional thing if somebody has managed to let the fire go out would ask a friend and neighbour for some live coals 
this will allow them to re-kindle their own fire.

Psalm 108 a pre dawn psalm

Psalm 108

This Psalm is attributed to David and is a song

"My heart, O God, is steadfast;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre! 
I will awaken the dawn"

I don't know about you - but pre dawn raucous music is not my ideal when it comes to waking up.
As a gentleman, I  tend to avoid waking other people with my trombone playing! I've heard it is not a recognised way of making friends! 

One thing that historically those in holy orders do is get up in the middle of the night to worship God 
It is, actually not such a bad thing to attempt if you do wake up early - don't worry about what happened yesterday or will happen today - spend some time giving thanks and pondering what is going right in your life

David will praise God among the nations, sing of God among the people because his love is higher than the sky and his faithfulness extends even further 

God 's glory extends beyond to fill the earth, God's right hand saves his people.

In Psalm 24 we read that the earth belongs to God, in this Psalm God claims his ownership.

The lands of Israel Gilead, Manesseh (East of the river Jordan) 
Ephraim is the helmet of God
Judah is the Sceptre

Surrounding nations play a part 
Stephen Fry quotes this Psalm in the title of one of his books - Moab is my Washpot 
Sorry Stephen, I have not read your book, and knowing your antipathy to the Christian faith it is equally unlikely that you will read my blog either - so fair's fair.

God claims authority over Moab (washpot), Edom (shoe rack), God shouts in triumph over the Philistines 

David was one of the most powerful and influential kings of Israel, yet he barely knew any peace in his rule having faced civil unrest and also external threats to his country.
David was as aware as anybody that human help is worthless, but with God we can gain the victory.
David talks about trampling down our enemies

Personally I would like to see enemies such as hunger, poverty, injustice and violence and hatred crushed and trampled rather than physical people.
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Psalm 107 A song for the redeemed

Psalm 107

Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever.

I'm not sure when this Psalm was written - it seems to suggest a gathering of the redeemed from the corners of the world.

Perhaps this is not just another history Psalm - perhaps it is looking forward?

The redeemed of God are let to a  safe city refuge through hardships.
Those who are suffering and far from God are able to be redeemed from their dark dungeons when they turn to God.
Even those in the middle of the ocean caught in storms are not beyond God's sight or help

One of the foundations of my faith is that nobody is beyond the love and family of God.

The Psalm ends with a suggestion - 
Let the upright see and rejoice.
But all the wicked shut their mouths 

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.

Psalm 106 a history song

Psalm 106

First things first - sorry for the lack of posts recently - things have been happening in my private life (more later), I hope now to increase my pace again.

So - Psalm 106 
The Psalm starts with a command  - 
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever.

Followed by a question - 
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD, or fully proclaim his praise?
Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.

And a request - 
Remember me, LORD, when you show favour to your people, come to my aid when you save them that I may may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, 
that I may share your in the joy of your nation, and join your inheritance in giving praise.

Unfortunately for us and the rest of this Psalm none of us are very good at doing this as the rest of the Psalm (and the Bible so far has illustrated!)

The Psalm mentions some of the rather less than sensible things that the Israelites did - such as, within days of hearing the 10 commandments the people broke the first 2! 

The Psalm finishes with a request and a final declaration - 
Save us, LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we might give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

Praise be ti the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say "Amen" (Hebrew for So be it) 

Praise the LORD.

We believe that God did and does show mercy to those who turn to him 

If I may take the opportunity to pay a tribute at this point to my grandparents, Doreen and Ron who both died - my Grandmother in November and Grandfather in December.

Both Nan and Grandad were lifelong Christians and they taught me a lot about and shaped my faith significantly. They served in many roles in church, including Grandad using his (considerable) talent in music and Nan led a lot of groups and contributed to the upkeep and mission of the church.
They were married for 66 years -and died just over a month apart.

I am honoured to be related to these remarkable people of faith and hope that I might make such a contribution to the life of God's Holy people.

Into your hands of God I give you Ron and Doreen - In the sure and certain hope of everlasting life.