I’ve been studying the Psalms for the last two weeks, and would like to share two insights that have really made a big impression on me.
First- 65 of the 150 Pslams are Laments and more than half of the Psalms presuppose crisis. I love this because the Pslams help us to throw off the mask of the shiny happy person, that everything is supposed to be okay, or happens for a reason, and deals with the reality of the pain and suffering in the world and in the human personal experience.
The prayers of the pslams are honest. Raw. Grittty. Angry. Authentic.
They don't confuse fate with faith.
Yet, they still hold to a tenacious faith in God that grounds, centers, and give them hope.
Second- more specific. The cosmic Psalm 148 declares that all of creation, the sun shining, the moon glowing, the stars giving light in the darkness, the trees bearing fruit, the birds singing all give praise to God, and yet it is intimately personal. Both humanity and the cosmos are meant to give praise to God.
You ever wonder how the sun, moon, stars, trees praise God?
Did they sing the latest Shaine and Shaine?
They do what they are meant to do.
The Psalmists do not understand a dualistic spirituality in which we sing praise to God, but our lives are not fulfilling what they are meant to do. All of creation cries out. Humanity is meant to express the beauty, wonder, and purposes of God to care for this world, to express His love, and character to everyone around us.
Praise of God encompasses everything.
Peace
Corey
5 comments:
praying the Psalms for myself and
others has been very powerful. the mishna
i still think you are going to be a writer
Corey, good post, makes me think about how we relate to God, as well as creation. Thanks. Paul
Corey, you may not remember me - I'm Karl Uotinen's wife, back in Roanoke. I've been privileged to follow your blog for some time now, and just wanted to thank you- THANK YOU- for your comments on the reality of hell and suffering on earth. This is true- there is suffering that doesn't fit into the nice pat box that Christians often try to place it. We can't explain away all the suffering in the world. But we do have hope. Thank you for your insights. -LISA
Thanks for the encouragement guys. Lisa, that's exciting to know that you have been following the blog, thanks for letting me know.
Paul Pace. You're a HELL of a friend. we can talk about the Hell comment later.
I agree. There is something about connecting with God's passion and purposes that produces unending joy and deep sorrow. We begin to recognize the needs we have and that are all around us, and we begin to recognize the power of God to create/ change/ lead/ serve/ etc.
I take heart in the pslams knowing that others (even in the Bible) have felt deep anguish and sorrow and have cried out to God in those places, not just in the "happy" places.
Thanks for sharing!
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