We were born with this book in our very bones.  A small book; 150 poems; 150 steps between death and life; 150 mirrors of our rebellions and our loyalties, of our agonies and our resurrections.  More than a book, it is a living being who speaks, who suffers, groans and dies, who rises again and speaks on the threshhold of eternity; who seizes one, bears one away, oneself and all the ages of time, from the beginning to the end.  (A. Chouraqi).

Christians have been praying, chanting, and singing the Psalms for centuries.  I don't think that's by accident.  In them, we find real life.  Love.  Hate.  Hurt.  Loneliness.  Joy.  Grief.  Sin.  It's all there.  We find Jesus in the Psalms.  Psalm 2.7 tells of the Lord's birth; Psalm 98.3 describes his manifestation to the Gentiles; we read of His suffering and death in Psalm 22.  Psalm 118 recounts His resurrection; Psalm 47 tells of His ascension and finally His second coming to judge mankind is described in Psalm 96.*

I like how Chouraqi describes the Psalms.  They are "in our very bones."  Although I've prayed them many times, I keep coming back.  The Spirit continues to use them to speak to me.  They echo in my heart.  Sometimes, they come to mind during the day.  I hope they're becoming a very real part of me.

So, what about you?  What's your experience with the Psalms?

____________________

*As described in The Psalms:  A New Translation by Paulist Press

 

Psalm 95 may very well be one of the most familiar Psalms in the psalter for those who regularly pray the Divine Office.  In the Book of Common Prayer, it is a part of Morning Prayer and is the first Psalm one prays in the divine office.  It's not by accident that Benedictine monks have been praying this Psalm daily for centuries.  We are reminded about who our Lord is and we begin each day singing this Psalm of Praise.

The Sons of Korah do a nice job with this Psalm.  The older I get, the more I like Scripture put to song (The lyrics are always filled with meaning that way!)  Enjoy.

As I was praying Vigils this morning, I came across this verse that repeats throughout Psalm 45 (46).

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Many of my friends are going through tough times.  This verse brought them to mind.  Praying for each of you today.  Peace.

Man, am I tired. Today was one of those days. I got a call around 9:30 a.m. from my stepmom. My dad was on his way to the hospital with chest pain. Not exactly the call you want to receive. I think this is his fourth heart attack over the last couple of years. He seems stable tonight but will be undergoing heart bypass surgery next Friday, August 17. I'd appreciate your prayers and I know dad would too.

Today's Morning Prayer psalm was Psalm 88. It's one that I can relate to, especially the first few verses.

O LORD, my God, my Savior, by day and night I cry to you. Let my prayer enter into your presence; incline your ear to my lamentation. For I am full of trouble; my life is at the brink of the grave.

As you know if you happen to be familiar with this particular Psalm, it doesn't end on a happy note. Many of the Psalms start out like this one, kind of desperate sounding but usually end on a more positive note. Not this one. It ends with

My friend and my neighbor you have put away from me,
and darkness is my only companion.

Doesn't leave you with a good, warm feeling does it?

Some way, somehow, in this Psalm I find comfort. It speaks of real life and sometimes real life is tough. It's hard. This Psalm reminds me that many in the church have experienced their difficult times. Saints of the past know all about this. Afterall, they've lived it and it's in their witness that I find comfort.

My plan for the rest of the evening? Watch some TV and relax. Maybe do a little reading. That's it.

Peace.