Psalms, psalms and psalms

This is the second year in a row I've been privileged with preaching on Psalm 23.  I was also privileged with reading this Psalm at two bedsides this week, a powerful way to experience the Word -- in community, in illness, in joy, in family and in death. This Psalm is heartwarming, assuring, powerful and true.  So, the sermon for this past Sunday was an overview of the book of Psalms and then focused in on Psalm 23.  Here is the last half...

When we fall ill, when disease and frailty of our bodies take over, we are often left speechless. But we are not left alone. Turn to Psalm 6.

Instead of talking about forgiveness, we have actual words of confession of sins and begging for mercy here in the Psalms. Turn to Psalm 51 (3-5, 10-12).

When we know we need to trust, or be strong in the faith, yet lack the words or the confidence, it is helpful to hear the words of other people of faith who have struggled and are hurting, yet remain strong in faith. Turn to Psalm 62 (1-2).

When we feel far away from the Almighty God of the universe, when we are sure that we have been forgotten by our creator, we can turn to the Psalms to be reminded of how close this God truly is. Turn to Psalm 139 (v. 13-15).

And now we turn to the Psalm assigned to this day, the most beloved and well known passage in all of the Bible, Psalm 23. I would like to spend a few minutes looking at the Psalm, but I will not preach this Psalm. You see a Psalm, just like music or just like poetry does not have one point...it has meaning. And the meaning is experienced differently for each of us every time we read it. This is the mystery of the Living Word of God.

Psalm 23 can be looked at as having three distinct sections. The first one is verses 1, 2 and 3. The author is describing God, life is good and the imagery is lush and beautiful scenes of nature. In this section God is the active force, God makes, leads, restores and leads again...the author is the happy recipient. Think of a time when your life was lush and beautiful and God was present.

The next section is just verses 4-5, the author has moved from talking about God to talk to God directly. The scene has changed from beautiful scenery to dark valleys, tools and instruments. Yet, God is still there, in the dark valley, using the tools and instruments as ways of comfort and giving direction. The paradox of feasting in the presence of enemies, and of course our enemies take many forms; sometimes a person, sometimes a disease, sometimes a form of suffering, war, addiction, emotions or even our very selves. And even drinking from an overflowing cup speaks to the paradox of faith. We have hope in the face of despair, we have life in the face of death. Think of a time when you walked the dark valley, when you feasted while staring an enemy in the face and God was present.

The final section is the last verse, standing alone. The author is no longer addressing God directly, but speaking this bold confession of faith. Given that we have just walked this brief walk with this person of faith throughout their life we are now given what their conclusion or statement of faith is after this life, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” After the beautiful scenery and the dark valleys, we arrive home, in the house of the Lord forever. Think of a time you have felt at home, surrounded by peace and goodness and God was present.

The Psalms are your words of faith. They are meant to be read every day, start with Psalm 1 and work your way through. The Psalms are also meant to be made our very own. So, write your own Psalm, reflect on a Psalm and then do some drawing, or serving or activity that comes from your devotional time spent in God's word. How will the Psalms come alive to you? How will God speak to you through the Psalms? How will your relationship with God change because of your time in this book?

The promise of Psalm 23 is that God is present, over and over and over again. God is present as a shepherd in the meadows and still waters. God is present in the dark places and still feeding you in the presence of your enemies. And finally we are reminded of the life we have in Christ. We die and rise again in Christ and are given the gift of life everlasting, so we will truly dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.