Psalm 2:1-6 (again not an official but rather a rough beginner's translation)
Why are the nations and peoples restless? They plot in vain. They will be resisted, the kings of the earth and the rulers. They sit together united against the LORD and His Anointed One. "Let us tear apart their bond and let us cast from us their cords." Sitting in the heavens, we will laugh mockingly at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and in His rage, he will act quickly. "And I, I will set apart my King upon Zion, my holy mountain."
What a contrast in leadership! One is marked with unity and bond, the other is jealous with division and scheming. But even amidst the plans for God's rule to be thwarted, He responds both quickly and strongly. This psalm gives me great comfort as I survey the landscape of our current political, economic and national structures. There is plotting. There is power-playing. There is perversion. But there sits, very confidently and very attentively, the One and only God who establishes His Son as the perfect ruler over all of His creation. I look forward to the day when the King, who established His throne through service, humility and sacrifice, comes to take His rightful and righteous place here on earth once again. To serve Him under His authority is pure joy and perfect peace.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Resting in the Psalms
I'm thankful to have, over the next several weeks, a break from the demands of school. A clearing of the head. And hopefully a cleansing of the heart. I've decided to refresh a bit on my Hebrew studies and am spending some time in the Psalms. Thought I would devote a few posts to writing out my rough translations and even rougher reflections.
Psalm 1:1-6 (a rough beginner's translation)
Happy is the man who does not live life according to the advice of the wicked ones, or does not stand in the way of sinners and in the seat of scorners, he does not sit. Because in the law of the LORD is his delight and in his law he will pour out his energy in the daytime and at night. And he will be like a tree which is transplanted next to a stream of waters in which its fruit will produce in its time and its leaf will not wither and all which he will do will be made to thrive. Not so with the wicked, for like the chaff, they will be scattered to the wind. So then they will not stand, the wicked in the judgment and the sinners in the gathering of the just because the LORD is the one who knows the way of the righteous and the way of the sinners will perish.
I am struck with the necessity of Christ in this passage. For without His perfection, we would all be walking, sitting and standing in the way of death and perishing. Christ's perfect demonstration of obedience to the Father, found in his loving and keeping of the law, day in and day out, becomes the stream by which we are all transplanted. His living water gives us life and allows us to bear fruit and not wither and find eternal prosperity. The pattern of living, the model for loving the Law of God, is found in the perfection of Christ and his obedience to His Father. The prayer, LORD, is that I would find my sustenance, my livelihood and my nourishment in the stream of Christ rather than in the empty signposts of foolish council, desert roads of sinful pursuits or temporary seats of cynical power. May I drink deeply of the grace found in Christ.
Psalm 1:1-6 (a rough beginner's translation)
Happy is the man who does not live life according to the advice of the wicked ones, or does not stand in the way of sinners and in the seat of scorners, he does not sit. Because in the law of the LORD is his delight and in his law he will pour out his energy in the daytime and at night. And he will be like a tree which is transplanted next to a stream of waters in which its fruit will produce in its time and its leaf will not wither and all which he will do will be made to thrive. Not so with the wicked, for like the chaff, they will be scattered to the wind. So then they will not stand, the wicked in the judgment and the sinners in the gathering of the just because the LORD is the one who knows the way of the righteous and the way of the sinners will perish.
I am struck with the necessity of Christ in this passage. For without His perfection, we would all be walking, sitting and standing in the way of death and perishing. Christ's perfect demonstration of obedience to the Father, found in his loving and keeping of the law, day in and day out, becomes the stream by which we are all transplanted. His living water gives us life and allows us to bear fruit and not wither and find eternal prosperity. The pattern of living, the model for loving the Law of God, is found in the perfection of Christ and his obedience to His Father. The prayer, LORD, is that I would find my sustenance, my livelihood and my nourishment in the stream of Christ rather than in the empty signposts of foolish council, desert roads of sinful pursuits or temporary seats of cynical power. May I drink deeply of the grace found in Christ.
Friday, June 29, 2012
A Wartime Prayer
O
Lord, come quickly and reign on Thy throne, for now often something rises up
within me, and tries to take possession of Thy throne; pride, covetousness,
uncleanness, and sloth want to be my kings; and then evil-speaking, anger,
hatred, and the whole train of vices join with me in warring against myself,
and try to reign over me. I resist them,
I cry out against them, and say, 'I have no other king than Christ.' O King of Peace, come and reign in me, for I will
have no king but Thee! Amen.
Bernard
of Clairvaux
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