Written by: Bishop Lindsay Urwin - Bishop of Horsham
Psalm 36 v 5-9
LORD, your love reaches to the heavens, your loyalty to the skies.
Your goodness is as high as the mountains.
Your justice is as deep as the great ocean.
LORD, you protect both people and animals.
God, your love is so precious!
You protect people in the shadow of your wings.
They eat the rich food in your house, and you let them drink from your river
of pleasure.
You are the giver of life.
Your light lets us enjoy life.
Notes
Most of the time we tend to talk about ourselves. It seems so natural, even
interesting! So many sentences beginning with the word "I" or about "me": "I
think..."; "I want..."; "I need..."; "Give
to me..."; "It's my right..."; "My opinion is...".
It's easy to become self-absorbed as if the world is revolving around me, as if where I'm coming from has the greatest priority or is the best way of seeing. But in these few verses not a single "I" or a single "me" emerges from the psalmist's lips, for he is absorbed in praise, and paradoxically he seems to have discovered a sense of serenity, joy and purpose in losing himself in the adoration of God. He has discovered that in the end real enjoyment comes as a gift.
A godly person talks less about himself than he does about God,
allowing words about the Lord to spring forth from within. More than that,
the Spirit alive in his heart makes it possible for his words to be godly,
whatever he is talking about. It is God himself who has given the psalmist
a heart to praise him. God has put the song into his mouth. It's what we mean
by inspiration, and it's full of mystery. The psalmist compares what he knows
about God's "personality" to various aspects of creation, especially
with its vastness but also with its unknowableness. To him the skies are a
complete mystery, bearer of both the dark and light. He had been no further
than a mountain top; neither had he seen the depths of the ocean. It's a song
about God's love, to praise the "giver of life". You can't "get
a life", you can only be given one.
Prayer
Lord, even today may words spring forth from my mouth in praise of you. Lead
me from self-preoccupation to a self-giving that reflects your love. Protect
me and those I love and those the world forgets, now and always. Amen
Psalm 36 v 10-12
Continue to love those who know you and to do good to those who are
good.
Don't let proud people attack me and the wicked force me away.
Those who do evil have been defeated.
They are overwhelmed; they cannot do evil any longer.
Notes
Prayer is difficult, but it's not unnatural. Even if life seems earthbound,
through history men and women have looked up and wondered and prayed. Sometimes
the "wondering" is of the confused kind in the midst of the ambiguities
of daily existence - the unanswered questions, the loose ends, the tragedies.
There is no charmed life. Wickedness can appear to triumph, and at such times,
even if faith in God persists, you wonder what he's up to. So, our psalmist
begs God to be relentless and consistent in his love, at least for those
who deserve it (!), and prays for deliverance from the wicked. He prays believing
somehow that the forces of evil have been defeated and won't be the last
word.
What he prays and knows by instinct is now known by the most eventful of all
events: the resurrection of Jesus. The victory he hoped for has been realised
by Jesus. Jesus does not take away pain or suffering, or physical death. He
embraces it, and so loving is the embrace that it overwhelms the evil - which
is the opposite and enemy of love. This he does, not only for those who "know" him
or are "good", but for all, including you; for however "good" you
might be, you could never in your own strength be good enough for heaven. So
give thanks.
Prayer
Lord, watch over me this day and surround me with your love. Help me to trust
in your power over all that would hurt or harm, and when I am assaulted by
the evil one, overshadow me with your cross. Amen
Psalm 37 v 1-7
Don't be upset because of evil people.
Don't be jealous of those who do wrong, because, like the grass, they will
soon dry up.
Like green plants, they will soon die away.
Trust the LORD and do good.
Live in the land and feed on truth.
Enjoy serving the LORD, and he will give you what you want.
Depend on the LORD; trust him, and he will take care of you.
Then your goodness will shine like the sun, and your fairness like the noonday
sun.
Wait and trust the LORD.
Don't be upset when others get rich or when someone else's plans succeed.
Notes
Some psalms are not addressed directly to God, but are more songs of encouragement
and affectionate common sense offered from one believer to another. Sometimes
faith can be challenged, or ungodly emotions like jealousy and irritation
rise up in us when it seems the bad people get away with things and prosper.
Sometimes it seems the devil does have the best tunes! Of course he doesn't,
but like a person with an inferiority complex - and the devil is by definition
inferior - he shouts the loudest and will do anything for attention.
The psalmist encourages his hearers to a life of gentle but firm perseverance;
to a life of trusting and serving, and doing good. Do-gooders get a bit of
a bad press in our cynical culture, but there are worse ways to live. If goodness
and fairness seem a rather unexciting way, you have been listening to the devil's
tunes! Better to be noticed for your goodness than the opposite. And even if
others don't notice because they are busy lurching from crisis to crisis or
thrill to thrill, God will know and will take care of you. Others may try to
elbow their way through life seeking the riches of this world, but will they
have lived life well? And if you are lucky enough to be rich and good, be generous!
Prayer
Lord, when I am tempted to doubt the way of holiness as the best way to live,
correct me and help me to persevere in the good and proper way. May I be known
as one who lives life well, to the glory of your name. Amen
Psalm 37 v 8-11
Don't get angry.
Don't be upset; it only leads to trouble.
Evil people will be sent away, but those who trust the LORD will inherit the
land.
In a little while the wicked will be no more.
You may look for them, but they will be gone.
People who are not proud will inherit the land and will enjoy complete peace.
Notes
There are two crucial four letter words in the Bible: "With" and "Will".
I use capital letters because I want to emphasise that God's desire to be with
his people is always stronger than our desire to be with him, and that when
God wills something it is without any of the doubts that might surround yours
or my will. When the psalmist speaks of those who trust God "inheriting
the land", he is obviously taking the long-term view! He knows that life
is full of ambiguities and that at times it does seem as if evil and wickedness
thrive, but in such times we simply have to persevere, trusting that we have
an "inheritance".
The New Testament speaks of us as "strangers" and "pilgrims" destined
for a heavenly country, where we will be with the Lord. If now I have moments
when God seems to play "hide and seek", it will not always be so.
If now there are anxieties, then there will be peace. That is our hope, and
we are assured of our hope because of the "with" and "will" of
God expressed in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is "God
with us" in skin, and his will is that all should not forfeit their inheritance
because of sin. So take the affectionate advice of the psalmist - trust God
and "chill out".
Prayer
Lord, give me a serenity and peace based on the knowledge that you loved me
so much that you accepted the cross so I may inherit the land. As I get on
with all that this day brings, I bless you for this undeserved gift. Amen
Psalm 37 v 12-17
The wicked make evil plans against good people.
They grind their teeth at them in anger.
But the Lord laughs at the wicked, because he sees that their day is coming.
The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows to kill the poor and helpless,
to kill those who are honest.
But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will break.
It is better to have little and be right than to have much and be wrong.
The power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD supports those who do
right.
Notes
Why do the bad often find the good such a challenge? Why did Caesar, for all
his power, foam at the mouth as the Christians went to the lions singing
Alleluias? Why must the cynic hound the saint? It may be their own sword
that will stab their hearts, as the psalmist suggests, but more so does the
power of love and the unspoken rebuke of holiness. For the good never respond
to wickedness with more of the same. Rather, they respond with the disappointment
of those who know humanity is made for so much more, and the knowledge that
joy is only a prayer away.
The wicked are often tormented by their own shrivelled-ness and
can't bear to be faced with it - caught in confusion rather than responding
to the urgent demand love makes upon the soul; seeking to pull down rather
than be lifted up. Nothing is worth being dragged down for, nor is there any
excuse to take another in that direction. It is totally not the direction God
wants anyone to travel. Jesus says, "Rise up!" Better to be raised
up with nothing than to be dragged down by attachment to the world.
Does the Lord really laugh at the wicked? Perhaps, but more likely he weeps
for them.
Prayer
Lord, help me to travel light, and when I discern the temptation to wickedness
in myself, give me the grace to overcome it so that I may be a blessing to
all I meet and bring joy to your heart. Amen
Psalm 37 v 18-22
The LORD watches over the lives of the innocent, and their reward will last
for ever.
They will not be ashamed when trouble comes.
They will be full in times of hunger.
But the wicked will die.
The LORD's enemies will be like the flowers of the fields; they will disappear
like smoke.
The wicked borrow and don't pay back, but those who do right give freely to
others.
Those whom the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will
be sent away.
Notes
These verses are all about the last word. Literally countless words will be
spoken today - let alone all the words spoken throughout history - and most
of them will be eminently forgettable, deleted and forgotten. In the midst
of them all, you can be fairly certain that not a few words will be spoken
about you - some in your hearing, some not; some true, some untrue, and some
half true! And then there's your own words about yourself. Are you your worst
critic? Do you mask self doubt, or do you have an over-inflated view of yourself?
Words and opinions - but whose opinion matters most to you? Whose words weigh
heavily?
The psalm is clear. The last word on us all will be spoken by the Lord. He
is the final judge. Jesus claimed this divine authority for himself: "Earth
and sky will be destroyed, but the words I have spoken will never be destroyed" (Luke
21 v 33). The last word about you to be spoken will be by him. The last opinion
expressed about you will be by him, and it will be more accurate and knowing
than any opinion you could come to about yourself. Who will inherit and who
will be sent away? That is not for us to know. It's best not to make the judgement,
but rather to try to be faithful and Christ-like and live in a way that makes
it easier for others to believe, not only that Jesus' opinion matters most,
but that he loves them. That the Good Shepherd will have the last word is good
news indeed!
Prayer
Lord, it is you who can bring me to a heavenly inheritance, or to be "sent
away". Look with mercy on me and do not forget that my name is written
on your heart! Amen
Psalm 37 v 23-29
When a person's steps follow the LORD,
God is pleased with his ways.
If he stumbles, he will not fall, because the LORD holds his hand.
I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left helpless
or their children begging for food.
Good people always lend freely to others, and their children are a blessing.
Stop doing evil and do good, so you will live for ever.
The LORD loves justice and will not leave those who worship him.
He will always protect them, but the children of the wicked will die.
Good people will inherit the land and will live in it for ever.
Notes
These few verses make me think the psalmist must have lived in a very protective
and reliable environment! Some good people do stumble and fall flat on their
faces! I have seen the helpless look on the faces of good African women as
their children beg for food. Perhaps the psalmist did! Perhaps the tribes
of Israel with their extended close-knit community watched for each other
in this way. The mutuality of the early Christian community described in
the Acts of the Apostles has this sort of protective and supportive feel,
and this life can be lived today, though it is difficult in the sort of detached,
individualistic lifestyle of the western world. Certainly the passage indicates
that goodness is not just about my personal relationship with the Lord but
my relationship with others, and I must work for justice and love justice
because the Lord loves it.
The psalmist knows nothing of Jesus, but we do. Giving pleasure to the Lord
means following in the way of Christ; not so much a slavish copying of his
life, but making his choice of life your own. Your success in this way of living
will above all be measured in terms of your love. Only in as much as you love
selflessly will your life be worthy of remembrance, and only the love in you
can abide for ever, for the "land we inherit" will contain nothing
less.
God will deal ruthlessly with your lack of love.
Prayer
Lord, turn me into love. When I stumble, stretch out a hand to save me, and
let me see the wounds thereon, that I may be led to repentance and thanksgiving
for your son, who by his death has brought me into the inheritance you promised
from all eternity, for all eternity. Amen
word-on-the-web uses the Scripture text taken from the Youth Bible, New Century Version (Anglicised Edition) copyright 1993 by Word Publishing Milton Keynes