The Week of May 19, 2008

Psalm 51, 52, 53

Psalm 51
This psalm captures the essence of a prayer for help. Here the trouble comes not from an enemy; a military or social conflict, but from the self! The superscription identifies this as David's prayer after being caught in a web of lies over the Bathsheba incident (2 Samuel 11-12). Verse 4 of this psalm echoes 2 Samuel 11:27. The church has used this psalm as much as any other in liturgy and corporate prayer, showing that this poem speaks at a deep level of our corporate need for cleansing and wholeness. The spiritual reality celebrated here includes the mystery of the way our hearts and our very "bones" are broken due to sin, but by God's Spirit, can be empowered and cleansed and given new life. This poem ultimately expresses more than remorse and regret, it reaches into the marvelous possibility of God's grace. Humans confess our sin in an act that acknowledges God as ultimately gracious. Jesus told of a man who went down to his house justified, whose prayer was, "LORD, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13). That man's prayer was in effect the opening words of Psalm 51.

Psalm 52
This psalm addresses a "Mighty One," in a very derisive way. This Hebrew word could be translated "Big Shot" or "Slick Operator" in English! This short poem juxtaposes the "Big Shot" with the faithful one of God; a "green olive tree" planted in God's house. Having confidence in one's self, one's wealth, and one's own abilities leads to destruction, while being rooted and planted in God brings peace and long life. The superscription to this psalm remembers an incident in David's life when Doeg the Edomite told Saul that David had gone to the priest Ahimelek at Nob for help when David was fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 21-22). Perhaps Doeg was remembered as a "big shot" as expressed in verse one!

Psalm 53
If this psalm sounds familiar, don't be surprised! It is almost word for word the same poem as Psalm 14 - an individual lament focusing upon the "foolishness" of believing that God has no governance over the world, and no interest in humankind. This psalm only differs in vs. 5 - where Psalm 14 talks of God's interest in the poor, Psalm 53 declares the demise of the ungodly. Like many psalms of lament, this poem ends with hope for the restoration of Zion (Jerusalem.)

From My Reading:

The sentence that is basic to all penitential prayer in the Old Testament is the simple confession, "I have sinned". Psalms 51 is the fullest exposition of that sentence in the Bible. Luther observed that whoever first called it a penitential psalm "knew what he was doing . . . . Here the doctrine of true repentance is set forth before us" (Luther, 12:304-5). The claim that Psalms 51 has been said in full or in part more often in worship and devotion than any other Scripture is probably true. It has been used as a penitential prayer, as the proper psalm to introduce the season of Lent, as a hymn in metrical version, as a regular prayer of confession, as a source for liturgical sentences, and as a text for reflection on Christian doctrine. Because of this varied and continuous use, the psalm has had an incalculable influence on the theology and practice of the Christian faith.
Mays, The Psalms - Interpretation Commentary

My Thoughts:

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
I trust the steadfast love of God forever.
Psalm 52:8

The trees rise thick in the spring forest; thin trunks reaching as far as the eye can see. The canopy is bright green and endless against the blue sky. I watch clouds begin to move in, and then hear the wind pick up. A storm approaches. I know I should return to the lodge, but the motion of the trees as the breeze strengthens holds me in place. The canopy of trees moves violently back and forth against the darkening sky. Yet by the foot-path, where the trunks of these tall, slender, magnificent plants run into the forest floor, nothing moves. Trees such as these sustain storms and violent winds by a strong root system. The top of the forest may sway and bend, but the supporting trunk remains safely planted in fertile soil.

When the psalmist wants to describe the safety and steadfastness of God's love he uses the metaphor of a tree - a healthy fruitful olive tree - planted in God's "house." This tree has solid roots and protection against any enemy, or storm that might come. Surely the psalmist knew tragedy and warfare; betrayal and want. But like a well planted tree, situated in good soil, the psalmist declares that each of us can find in God's love a place to "root" and grow; a place to weather any storm and still be productive. We need to be careful as we place our roots; our priorities, our resources, our trust. As the psalmist suggests, may we be like those trees, found in God's house; God's forest.

Do not take your Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and
my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
Psalm 51:11-12

Blessings,
Pastor Stacy

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