Sunday, March 8, 2015

Sunday, March 8, 2015 

Psalm 93

A well used book that I have in my library is Psalms, Then and Now by R.E. Palmer, SSJE(1965). It's one that I find helpful in appreciating what the psalmist was moved to say. This particular psalm is a reminder of God's presence and an acclamation of God as  King. The historical setting of this psalm is post-exile: the people have returned from exile and the Temple in Jerusalem is restored. No longer is there a king in the line of David, but once again, there is recognition that God is their King, and the first part of this psalm (v. 1-3) recognizes this: that God is not only King on the temple throne but much more as one true God for all people of the world, from the beginning of creation. 

A question we might ponder : Do we personally have a sense that God is timeless and the source of our being, and ground of our being? I sense this was the sense of the psalmist that drove him to express this reality in psalm.

The remainder of this psalm is about the reality of water and how God is instrumental in controlling it: triumphant over floods, directing  rains to refresh the summer drought, a picture of crashing waves in the sea, these images all a sign of God's dominion over all, even mighty nations. Fr. Palmer suggested that this part of the psalm was likely proclaimed as the Holy Ark was borne into the Temple, again a pledge that God is present to oversee all that is.

A challenge for us: do we as individuals trust in this? My own experience is that this truth is borne out by tasting and seeing. Trust is like Love. It's a matter of daring to "step out in faith," and being surprised by joy. Simply put, this is at  the heart of when Jesus extends the invitation to each of us to  know God, in his person. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life!  Tempting!

Archdeacon Ken Cardwell