Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)

Pentecost +21 - Year B

Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)

Verse 2 speaks of the lowly, the humble, those for whom things aren’t going well (TANAKH, NRSC, MESSAGE, respectively).

Verse 6 continues these references to the lowly, the poor, those in a tight spot.

The “lowly” translation notes this to be the equivalent of those who are dependent upon G*D. This seems to be the most helpful approach in a Wisdom Psalm. It best helps us move from the strange ascription regarding madness as a coping device to the central verse (11) teaching lowliness - a relationship with G*D that allows freedom in the midst of any of the many afflictions that come with life (19).

Evaluate whether this direct approach to freedom through the wisdom of dependence is more helpful than having to retranslate “fear” in our heads to get to holy freedom. If so, we may be able to better attend to the task of living without actual or faked crazy.

Anything in particular bringing you to the brink of madness these days? How might dependence upon creation-gifts free you to participate directly with life’s afflictions rather than adding an internal layer of crazy on top of situational happenstance?
 

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