The word unless imposes a condition. Unless this happens, then that will or will not happen. What are the conditions in Psalm 127 – unless? Psalm 127 A song of ascents attributed to Solomon, Psalm 127 begins with two statements using unless. The words echo other wisdom sayings. “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in […]
Read More
When you marry later in life, you know the shelf-life on your marriage is limited. Fifty years – nah. Twenty-five – maybe. Ten years – yes. And so, I started bargaining with God for time. Bargaining with God I’ve always been rather namby-pamby when it came to bargaining with God. I rarely did it and […]
Read More
Psalm 126 – when, recalls a time of amazement when the Lord worked wonders, then uses that remembrance to provide hope. What else might we learn from this psalm? Psalm 126 Psalm 126 – when, is the seventh out of fifteen songs of ascents used by pilgrims to Jerusalem. Some posit that pilgrims recited a […]
Read More
Psalm 125 – unshakeable, begins with the statement that those who trust in the Lord cannot be shaken – or in other translations, unshakeable. What does it mean to be unshakeable? Psalm 125 In Psalm 125, another song of ascents, the psalmist compares those who trust in the Lord to Mount Zion. “Those who trust […]
Read More
If – a small but powerful word. It speaks of potential – if this had happened, or if this had not happened. What more might we learn about this word from Psalm 124 – If? Psalm 124 Psalm 124 is another song of ascents for pilgrims, this one attributed to David. Using poetic imagery, it […]
Read More
Psalm 123 is a lament of one who has had enough and has nowhere else to turn. The writer turns to God in his need, like slaves who are dependent on their master. What might we learn about slaves from Psalm 123 – Slaves? Psalm 123 Psalm 123 is another song of ascents, recited by […]
Read More
Jerusalem, a site of controversy and violence, a place of contradiction. Jerusalem, the city of David, is sacred to three different religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What might we learn about Jerusalem from Psalm 122 – Jerusalem? Psalm 122 Psalm 122 is a song of ascents, attributed to David. Pilgrims rejoice on their way to Jerusalem. […]
Read More
I remember a story about man who gave his grandson a kite. The boy had been experiencing hardships, and his grandfather wanted him to look up. In the same way, Psalm 121 – lift my eyes, reminds us to look up, focus on God. Psalm 121 Psalm 121 is another song of ascents for pilgrims […]
Read More
Distress is extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain; a state of danger or desperate need. Desperate times result in desperate measures. But sometimes escape from distress eludes us, as in the situation in Psalm 120 – distress. What can we learn about distress from Psalm 120? Psalm 120 Psalm 120 is the first of a series […]
Read More
What does it mean to be blameless? Are any of us completely blameless? And what does Psalm 119 – blameless teach us about the word? Psalm 119 Just two weeks ago we reflected on the shortest psalm in the book of Psalms, Psalm 117. This week we reflect on the longest psalm in the book […]
Read More
