Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek them with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his name.
Our meditation for the week is the Beatitudes, and this is another instance of this genre in the Bible. This is the longest Psalm and is a meditation on the Law of the God. Though we are not saved by the Law, but rather by Faith, our Faith generates the desire to do what God wants. Our Faith generated the walk to Jerusalem, but there would be worse things upon which to meditate on the way than God's Law, especially as summed by Christ.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Psalm 116:9
I walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
This seems a rather obvious statement, but isn't when taken in context. The Psalm is a thanksgiving for healing from serious illness, in which death was a very possible outcome. The Psalmist is giving public thanksgiving in the midst of a congregation. Even when most profoundly depressed, the Psalmist trusted in God.
Our walk to Jerusalem may not be so fraught, but we can have the confidence of the Psalmist God will hear our voice if we are in distress or anguish. God is gracious and righteous and deals with us bountifully. Our response is summed in the Psalm:
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord ... I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice ... Praise the Lord!
This seems a rather obvious statement, but isn't when taken in context. The Psalm is a thanksgiving for healing from serious illness, in which death was a very possible outcome. The Psalmist is giving public thanksgiving in the midst of a congregation. Even when most profoundly depressed, the Psalmist trusted in God.
Our walk to Jerusalem may not be so fraught, but we can have the confidence of the Psalmist God will hear our voice if we are in distress or anguish. God is gracious and righteous and deals with us bountifully. Our response is summed in the Psalm:
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord ... I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice ... Praise the Lord!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Psalm 115.7
[The idols of other nations] have hands but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; they make no sound in their throat.
This Psalm was most probably sung in a liturgy. It urges listeners, including us, to concentrate on a God who is loving and faithful, a help and shield, rather than a No-God, however glitzy and beautiful - a No-God made in our image [as opposed to realizing we are made in God's image].
As we walk to Jerusalem, we will encounter many No-Gods. Our task is in the last verse:
But we will bless the Lord from this time on and evermore. Praise the Lord!
This Psalm was most probably sung in a liturgy. It urges listeners, including us, to concentrate on a God who is loving and faithful, a help and shield, rather than a No-God, however glitzy and beautiful - a No-God made in our image [as opposed to realizing we are made in God's image].
As we walk to Jerusalem, we will encounter many No-Gods. Our task is in the last verse:
But we will bless the Lord from this time on and evermore. Praise the Lord!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Psalm 101:2b
... I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; ...
This Psalm may have been used for coronation ceremonies, and, in total, is a king pledging to rule justly.
It tells us, while walking to Jerusalem is a good thing, we can also walk with integrity in our own house [which, at the time, meant more than just the physical structure, but included family and all which the person influenced]. If we fixate on the walk to Jerusalem, it becomes an idol. The important things upon which to fixate are loyalty, justice, study, faithfulness, and combating evil.
... whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me ...
This Psalm may have been used for coronation ceremonies, and, in total, is a king pledging to rule justly.
It tells us, while walking to Jerusalem is a good thing, we can also walk with integrity in our own house [which, at the time, meant more than just the physical structure, but included family and all which the person influenced]. If we fixate on the walk to Jerusalem, it becomes an idol. The important things upon which to fixate are loyalty, justice, study, faithfulness, and combating evil.
... whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me ...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Psalm 89:15
Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance; ...
This is another prayer for deliverance from enemies [specifically a battle defeat for King David], obviously a reoccurring theme.
This Psalm repeatedly makes use of the Hebrew term hesed, which can be translated many ways, but in the NRSB is rendered "steadfast love." God is seen as continually faithful. God's hesed is as firm as the heavens. God continually keeps covenant with God's people. The Beings which surround God in Heaven praise God's hesed. God's hesed is joined with righteousness and justice. Even when we transgress, God corrects us but maintains hesed. Even when we cannot see God in the world, hesed is there, and our prayer, as we march toward Jerusalem, is the same as King David's in the last verse:
... Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.
This is another prayer for deliverance from enemies [specifically a battle defeat for King David], obviously a reoccurring theme.
This Psalm repeatedly makes use of the Hebrew term hesed, which can be translated many ways, but in the NRSB is rendered "steadfast love." God is seen as continually faithful. God's hesed is as firm as the heavens. God continually keeps covenant with God's people. The Beings which surround God in Heaven praise God's hesed. God's hesed is joined with righteousness and justice. Even when we transgress, God corrects us but maintains hesed. Even when we cannot see God in the world, hesed is there, and our prayer, as we march toward Jerusalem, is the same as King David's in the last verse:
... Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
Once more, this Psalm is a prayer for deliverance from personal enemies. Many Psalms are in this category and tell us, as we walk to Jerusalem, it is OK to cry to God for help, and to admit we are, at times, poor and needy. The Psalmist is sure the present situation will not end in death, and we can have that same certainty.
There is an interesting aside: When the Psalms were written, the society was patriarchal. People were usually identified by whom their father is or was. In a sign of humility, the Psalmist asks God [v.16c]: ... save the child of your servant girl.
Once more, this Psalm is a prayer for deliverance from personal enemies. Many Psalms are in this category and tell us, as we walk to Jerusalem, it is OK to cry to God for help, and to admit we are, at times, poor and needy. The Psalmist is sure the present situation will not end in death, and we can have that same certainty.
There is an interesting aside: When the Psalms were written, the society was patriarchal. People were usually identified by whom their father is or was. In a sign of humility, the Psalmist asks God [v.16c]: ... save the child of your servant girl.
This Week's Meditation
Matthew 5:3-10
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This week, you are invited to meditate on these Beatitudes…Attitudes of Being, and to consider the question:
What does it mean for me to be Christlike?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
A Walking Song for the Next Week
Walk in Jerusalem Just Like John
Refrain:
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
To walk in Jerusalem just like John
John said the city was just foursquare
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
And he declared he'd meet me there
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
Refrain:
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
To walk in Jerusalem just like John
Oh John oh John oh didn't you say
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
You'd be there on that great day
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
(repeat Refrain)
Some came crippled and some came lame
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
Some came walking in Jesus' name
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
(repeat Refrain)
Now brother, better mind how you step on the cross
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
Your feet might slip and your soul get lost
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
(repeat Refrain)
Refrain:
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
To walk in Jerusalem just like John
John said the city was just foursquare
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
And he declared he'd meet me there
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
Refrain:
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
To walk in Jerusalem just like John
Oh John oh John oh didn't you say
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
You'd be there on that great day
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
(repeat Refrain)
Some came crippled and some came lame
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
Some came walking in Jesus' name
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
(repeat Refrain)
Now brother, better mind how you step on the cross
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
Your feet might slip and your soul get lost
Walk in Jerusalem just like John
(repeat Refrain)
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