Psalm 19

Year C - Epiphany ³ or Guiding Gift ³

January 24, 2016

Psalm 19

Following the numerological significance of sevens, we jump in. After invoking the cosmos as a constant we come to verse 7.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; 

the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.

 (NRSV)

Your pattern is perfection
It quiets the soul that knows it
And its eloquent expression
Makes everything clear
So that even the simple are wise

(Opening to You: Zen-Inspired translations of the Psalms, Norman Fischer)

Happy the soul who listens to the Lord
speaking to it deep within,
gathering from his lips
the Word of life and joy!

{The Imitation of Christ [3:1],  Thomas à Kempis)

the presence of G*D
binds health to bone
refreshing soul-hope
this freedom is trust-worthy
holding together serpents and doves

(Wesley White)

After placing a bet on some understood ordinance as a measuring rod to keep us safe from overt and covert error we are finally left with verse 14 as the riskiest and most joyful standing spot, giving life a whirl regardless of cost.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, 

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 (NRSV)

May these words of my mouth
And these meditations of my heart
Be acceptable to you
My rock, my release

(Opening to You: Zen-Inspired translations of the Psalms, Norman Fischer)

While with my heart and tongue
I spread thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
My Savior and my God.

(Isaac Watts)

mouth words and heart thoughts
atune life after life
to creation and all our kin

(Wesley White)