Again, how beautiful the Psalms are. They convey expressions that are really humane in a divine way! Reciting these beautiful hymns, songs and poems and yes, prayers-- drew my heart into the struggle of the writer which bring a sound and beautiful state of prayer, adoration, tears and acclamation of God's faithfulness and greatness. How beautiful indeed that God allows this to be one of His gifts, His revelation to us. This great prayer book helps us to gaze the Lord and cling unto Him! No wonder that Our Holy Fathers and Mothers along history and even now love this book and learn the prayers by heart!
"Look after me, God, I take shelter you.
To Yahweh you say, "My Lord,
you are my fortune, nothing else but you,.." (Psalm 16:1-2 Jerusalem Bible).
"Yahweh, my heritage, my cup,
you and you only hold my lot secure;
the measuring line marks out delightful places for me,
for me the heritage is superb indeed.
I bless Yahweh, who is my counselor,
and in the night my inmost self instructs me;
I keep Yahweh before me always,
for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.
So my heart exults, my very soul rejoices,
my body, too will rest securely,
for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
nor allow the one you love to see the Pit;
you will reveal the path of life to me,
give me unbounded joy in your presence,
and at your right hand everlasting pleasures". (Psalm 16:5-11 JB)
"I love you, Yahweh, my strength
(my savior, you rescue me from violence).
Yahweh is my rock and my bastion,
my deliverer is my God" (Psalm 18:1-2 JB)
Glory to you, O God! Glory to you!
Thanks for posting these psalm verses, Yudhie, they are some of my favorites, especially from Psalm 16: "…the measuring line marks out delightful places for me,
ReplyDeletefor me the heritage is superb indeed. I bless Yahweh, who is my counselor,and in the night my inmost self instructs me…"
God gives us greater freedom and more "territory" to explore than those (who do not believe) take for themselves (without God's permission). This is a mystery, that what the world sees as our very small, low and narrow way (which is given us by Jesus when we follow Him) actually is much greater on the inside than it appears to be from the outside.
Enter by the gold Gate or not at all.
Take of My fruit for others, or foreswear.
For he that steals and who climbs the wall
Shall have his heart's desire and find despair.
(C. S. Lewis, from the book The Magician's Nephew)
The entrance to the Holy Scriptures is low and humble, but inside the vault is high and veiled in mysteries.
(Augustine of Hippo, Confessions)
I especially like the verse about "in the night my inmost self instructs me"… Who is that inmost self? It is as Solomon sings in his Song of Songs, "I sleep, but my heart is awake. I hear my Beloved calling…" (Song of Songs 5:2).
God bless you, brother, and thanks for posting the Word of God on your blog. Ameyn ve'emet!
Thank you Yudhie. Since entering the Orthodox Church I have found the Psalms are far more in my mind, due to their frequent use, and that I do use them as part of my daily prayer life. Not as much as I should, but small steps. They truly are wondrous expressions of the deepest longings of us humans.
ReplyDeleteGlory to you, O God! Glory to you! indeed.