Psalm 5: Disorientation/Reorientation

Psalm 5 is the third consecutive individual lament psalm placed at the beginning of the psalter after the initial two “introductory” psalms. Walter Brueggemann, a notable Old Testament scholar, describes these psalms as songs of “disorientation.” Life isn’t working out the way it is supposed to (especially when you put your faith in YHWH). And so, the psalmist laments/complains to G-d.

Lament psalms exhibit a standard structure: a plea and calling out to YHWH; an expression of a problem causing the disorientation; a petition to YHWH to eliminate the predicament causing the complaint; an exclamation of the motivation as to why G-d should eliminate the complaint; an imprecation and curse against the faith community’s enemies; a sudden pivot to reorientation of the psalmist’s relationship with G-d through praise/confession/affirmation; an assurance that YHWH hears the lament and praise; the psalmist’s vow of loyalty to G-d; a final doxology of praise.

Not every lament psalm utilizes the complete structure. As an exercise, see which elements of the lament structure are employed in Psalm 5.

One final note: we opened a conversation with Psalm 1 regarding translation/interpretation and we used the word ‘ha-GAH’ as an example. In Psalm 1 it is translated typically as ‘to meditate.’ We noted its pronunciation in Hebrew is guttural and sounds like a hungry lion devouring its prey. It is a picture of voraciousness, and I suggested that the mind picture we should have when meditating on the Scriptures should be that of a lion tearing into its meal. In Psalm 5:1, the psalmist asks YHWH to consider his ‘sighing’/’groaning’/’utterance’/’meditation.’ It is the Hebrew word ‘ha-GIG,’ which has the same root as ‘ha-GAH.’ Once again, we see various translators having to choose a suitable English word to use. Which one do you believe best fits the context?

Godspeed,

DWach

PS … as most of you are aware, somewhere in the early stages of our Psalms journey, Revonda “DJ” Miller started to send me worship song links based on the Psalm of the Day; the Hebrew word תהלים ‘te-heh-LIM’ translates into English as Psalms or Songs, and its root word means ‘to praise.’ Therefore, it is not surprising that many cultures throughout the millennia have produced sacred worship music based on the words of the psalms. So, as the Spirit leads, I will link some of the worship songs that DJ Revonda has discovered. Today’s Psalm 5 worship song is an oldie, but goodie that goes back to the 1980’s. I hope it enhances your devotional experience today:

Psalm 4: Be Good

Psalm 4 starts with an aggressive demand from the psalmist that G-d must answer the psalmist’s call and prayer. This aggressiveness seems too harsh for those of us who have been instructed to approach G-d with reverence and respect. But, as elsewhere in the psalms, we see a true and totally transparent relationship between G-d and His people. Of course, we should approach G-d with reverence! But we can also approach Him with the full force of our emotions when we are scared, frustrated, and angry (sometimes even angry with Him). Sometimes, we just don’t feel very reverent and respectful. Sometimes our distress and despair warrants aggressiveness in our relationship with G-d. He wants a true and honest relationship with us. This lament psalm expresses that honesty at the beginning of the text and combines it with an affirmation at the end of the text: YHWH has our back even in times of distress and despair.

This psalm also offers up three great theological questions. We look to the Bible as a book of answers. And it is. But it is also a book of many questions. The theological gold is usually in the questions. Verse 2 asks, “How long, O men, will you turn my glory to shame?” Verse 2 also asks, “How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?” And Verse 6 asks, “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’”

These are all great questions for the modern world of today. They are also good “self-check” questions for our own personal journeys.

I pray that today, you can be the answer to that third question.

Godspeed,

DWach

Psalm 3: A Lament

After two introductory psalms that set the stage for the rest of the psalter, we get the first of many, many lament psalms. About one-third of the Psalter consists of this genre. In Psalm 3, the psalmist cries out to God about his predicament (enemies that are arrayed against him). The writer demands deliverance by G-d (v. 7) and affirms his belief that his fate is in the hands of the LORD and his deliverance is assured (v. 8). Compare and contrast the size of the forces arrayed against each other: G-d versus “tens of thousands” – it’s not a fair fight – of course the writer’s deliverance by G-d is assured!

Note also that there are imprecations for G-d to smite enemies (v. 7). This is a common structure in the psalms and these curses against our foes make us “moderns” uncomfortable and flies in the face of Jesus’s mandate to love our enemies. We will address this topic as we journey through the psalms together. On the other hand, if we really are true to feelings and emotions, we really would like our enemies to get what they deserve! The psalms do not disappoint in revealing our true desires (whether they are Godly or not).

A final note: in Psalm 3 we see the first of many superscriptions that preface the text. This one says, “A psalm of/about David when he fled from his son Absalom.” The referenced story can be found in II Samuel 15 – 19. This is a great example of an inter-textual “Midrash.” A midrash is a “teaching” based on a Biblical text. So, in this case, the Bible (Psalm 3) is commenting on the Bible! This is an important observation. The Bible is G-d’s faith community having an inspired conversation with itself about G-d and G-d’s relationship with humanity and Creation; that conversation also instructs how G-d wants His community to interact with each other and with those outside the community.

As you face your enemies today, and surely one or two will confront you, recognize that your fight is in G-d’s hands! The fight is not fair!

Godspeed,

DWach

Psalm 2: Responsibility

A fun fact to start today’s reflection: Psalm 2 is quoted four times in the New Testament, making it one of the most quoted psalms in those texts.

As we saw in yesterday’s commentary, Psalms 1 and 150 complement each other as bookends to the psalter. Psalm 1 exhorts the reader to a life of obedience to G-d’s law/guidance/education/instruction, which if accomplished, leads to the unadulterated praise of Psalm 150. Psalm 2 and 149 seem to work in conjunction with each other as well, giving the psalter a second level bookend.

Psalms 2 and 149 describe Israel’s position amongst ‘the nations.’ That position is often hostile (current events demonstrate that some things never change). But as representatives of “The One enthroned in heaven” (v. 4), Israel (and we, as a faith community grafted into G-d’s family) has a responsibility to be His witness and testimony in the world. In ancient times, that responsibility was most easily visible and symbolically manifest in Israel’s king. And thus, Psalm 2 seems to be a sort of coronation liturgy for the King and a mandate for him (and by extension, God’s people) to rule and live amongst the nations according to the exhortation of Psalm 1.

It is also a warning to the nations: will you kneel to The Holy One’s authority (as represented on earth by the King of Israel) or will you stand in opposition to Him? The choice is theirs to make. It is our choice as well!

Shalom שָׁלוֹם

DWach