Simple Pleasures

 October 12, 2021

That first sip of coffee or a frothy latte on a cold morning. Chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven. Pumpkin donuts and apple pie. Children at play. A baby’s smile. A bike ride through a tree covered lane, especially when fall colors are abloom. The joy of becoming lost in a good book. Human touch. Such are the simple pleasures of life.

Where Are the Simple Pleasures in the Psalms?

As I think over the Psalms, I can remember no mention of such simple pleasures. No mention of the smell of fresh baked bread or the first bite of a fig. No mention of the joy in children’s laughter (though there is mention of “a child at rest” Psalm 131:2). Certainly, it wasn’t because those experiences didn’t occur back then.

There are so many beautiful images related to nature and God in nature in the Psalms. Such amazing poetry. Surely someone who could write such poetry couldn’t be immune to noticing and relishing the simple pleasures of life.

Isaiah writes of the messianic banquet table, full of magnificent foods. But in the Psalms, there is no such mention of rich foods. The closest we have to a messianic banquet is in Psalm 23 – “You prepare a table before me.” The writers of the Psalms do mention the joy of worship, of coming to the Temple. But no mention of children playing. Why is that? Please let me know if I’m missing something here.

A World Without Simple Pleasures

I can’t imagine a world without simple pleasures. It occurs to me that simple pleasures, the ability to appreciate them, are more a product of mindset. Some people are just not as aware and open to the wonders all around them. That is sad indeed. Even in a jail cell, one can find simple pleasures, a ray of sun shining through bars, or the quiet solitude to find God.

I don’t know why there is so little mention of simple pleasures in the Psalms. Certainly the poets who wrote about Eagle’s wings and sparrows knew the joy of watching birds in flight. Or those who wrote about trees singing, watched in awe as trees swayed in the breeze. They knew simple pleasures. They just didn’t write it that way. Joy for them is always centered on God.

All reason to write about them today, proclaim them to the mountain tops. All reasons why there is a need for new poets, new generations of writers to proclaim the mystery which is God.

My life is full of simple pleasures. They make every day worthwhile. These simple pleasures mean more than millions of dollars (or bit-coin or cryptocurrency) or human fame and success. They are God’s daily gifts to his people. It is said in the Talmud that we will be called to account for all of the good things in life that we didn’t enjoy. Who are we to turn down God’s gifts?

What are some of your simple pleasures?

This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and and receive a free copy of  Dancing on a High Wire the first book in my Dancing through Life Series.      click here to sign up

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