July 15, 2012

In our series of reading for our the Old Testament Lesson from one book each week, today we have come to the Book of Psalms. Our goal is to find the Gospel in the psalms, so let’s first examine Hebrew poetry and then how to read the psalms.

First, the word “psalms” comes from the Greek word that means “playing the harp.” So this is a collection of hymns to be sung.

Hebrew poetry is different than English or Japanese poetry. In English poetry, rhythm and rhyme are very important. For example,

Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go.

“Snow” and “go” rhyme. In high school English class you probably learned about iambic pentameter and other rhythms. One thing I love about modern rap music is that when the rhythm and rhyme are good it is fun to listen to.

In Japanese poetry, there is no rhyme or rhythm. The important thing is the number of syllables. Haiku is 5-7-5 and tanka is 5-7-5-7-7. But what is also important in Haiku is the reference to nature or a season. The important thing is that in this short poem we see a picture in our minds.

Furu ike ya / kawazu tobikomu / mizu no oto
古池や　 　蛙飛び込む　　　 水の音
An ancient pond / a frog jumps in / the splash of water
[Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉)1686]

In Hebrew poetry there is no rhyme or rhythm. But there is a so-called rhyme of ideas. That is, the second line of poetry usually repeats or furthers the thought of first line but in different words. For example.
119: 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
114: 4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
9: 8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
46: 7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

This poetry technique is not unique to the Book of Psalms. We find it also in the writings of the prophets who usually write in poetry. Much of their prophecies were criticisms of the politics and morals of their day. I do not know if Amos and Obadiah and others actually sang their poems, but maybe. Because in English, many social and war protests movements have become folk songs, like “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and “We Shall Overcome.”

In the Book of Isaiah there is this line. 3:8 “For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen.” Jerusalem is the capital city of the country of Judah, the same as Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and stumbled and fallen are also parallel. Isaiah 46:3 “Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel.” God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, so Jacob = Israel. Also, Zion = Jerusalem, and there are many other such parallel expressions. This poetry makes the psalms and prophets interesting to read.

The next topic is how to read the Psalms, or how to pray the Psalms. To fully understand and fully pray a psalm, I think a person needs to read it three times: first in the eyes of the original author, then in the eyes of Jesus, and finally in your own eyes.

For example, Psalm 23. When King David was a boy, he was a shepherd, so he knew all about sheep, he knew how to care for them and protect them. Jesus said that he was the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. And finally, we are sheep in the flock of God. I am sure you have all heard a sermon on Psalm 23, so we will not go into more detail today.

Psalm 22 was also written by David. Before becoming king, he was in danger of being killed by King Saul, and so had to hide in the wilderness. Later, when his son Absalom staged a coup, King David again had to flee Jerusalem and go into the wilderness. In Psalm 22 David pours out the sorrow and agony of his heart. Verse 1, “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” But the faith and trust of David is shown in the last part of the song.

22 I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.

When Jesus was on the cross he sang or prayed this psalm. Only the first line of the hymn is recorded in the Gospel. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” We find many things in this psalm that were fulfilled in the crucifixion.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
8 “He trusts in the LORD;
let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my garments among them and
cast lots for my clothing.

So this psalm foretells the agony of Christ on the cross. It also foretells the salvation of God for all who trust in Him.

We Christians sometimes feel like David that God has abandoned us. When we feel the agony of life we can relate with David and Christ. We might want to change the poetic descriptions to fit our situation, but we can understand them as they are written. In the midst of their agony, both David and Christ trusted and waited for salvation from God—and God did save them. That is the power we receive when pray this psalm, we see the Gospel of salvation. This psalm, especially, is beloved by Christians because it shows us how much Christ loves us. He loves us so much that he suffered this great agony. In his suffering we see his love. This is a very sad hymn, and it makes us sad to read it. And yet, it has the power to give us hope because we see the love of Christ on the cross.

Some of the psalms are sad, some are happy. Some of the psalms are celebrations. We celebrate our salvation in Christ. And so let’s conclude with the last psalm, Psalm 150.
1 Praise the LORD. Hallelujah!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Hallelujah! Praise the LORD.　

Amen.

Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church

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