THE PSALMS, SONG OF THE SOUL
Today let us enter into the wonderful world of the Hebrew Bible, known to us as the Old Testament.
The history of Israel is written in these books, the heart of Israel cries out in joy or sorrow, and the soul of Israel communes with their eternal Lord.
Within the Bible the Book of Psalms contains an unfathomable depth of spiritual feelings, and a measureless range of human experiences.
The favourite tradition holds David to be the author of these psalms. Our more accurate and realistic understanding of the Book of Psalms places them within the worship of the Jewish religion over the span of centuries.
To use a technical word, the Psalms belong to the ‘cultus’, the religious tradition and practice of Israel.
A group of psalms articulate both profoundly yet personally the worship of Israel.
The Jewish people took their religion seriously and knew how to worship. Psalm 122 opens, ‘I was glad when they said to me, ’Let us go to the house of the Lord’’
The focal point of their worship was the temple within their capital city Jerusalem. ‘Jerusalem built as a city to which the tribes go up ’(Psalm 122.3-4) But Jerusalem and the temple building held a deeper attraction for the Jewish people.
The temple was their visible assurance of the very presence of their Lord and God.
When they saw their temple they were utterly convinced of the immediate presence of God. Modern society has lost that sense of the divine, and we are the poorer for our loss.
But a new dimension opens in the second part of this psalm. ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. For my brethren and companions sake I will say, ‘Peace be within you’’ (Psalm 122.6-9)
The Jewish people always maintained a strong sense of national solidarity.
This is expressed in these verses. Their personal worship to God always expressed itself in a responsible care and concern for their fellow citizens.
Psalm 100 is probably the best and most loved psalm of worship. How many Communion congregations
have thrilled to these glorious words ?,‘All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice’.
This psalm expresses utter unrestrained happiness and wonder at the presence of the Lord God Almighty. ’For why the Lord, our God is good. His mercy lasts for ever sure. His truth at all times firmly stood.
And shall from age to age endure’ We must never lose the irresistible vitality of such worship.
When I was a divinity student at Edinburgh University the minister I worked under sent me to visit a lady in a care home.
She was very old, blind, but with an enormous spirit.
I always had to read Psalm 27.
It opens:‘ The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear. The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid’
She told me that she was spending the last days of her life reflecting on her varied and eventful life.
But with a sense of anticipation for the eternity into which she would soon enter.
The personal worship practiced by that generation gave them a strong confidence for this life and a firm assurance of eternity.
Modern society has a lot to learn from our forefathers in the faith.
She used to interrupt me as I was reading the psalm by repeating one section. ‘One thing I ask of the Lord.
‘That I may dwell in the house of the Lord. To behold the beauty of the Lord and to worship in his temple’ (Psalm 27.4)
She had made her soul into a little temple and on the altar of her heart she offered her worship to God. The worshipping soul can cultivate such a personal and intimate attitude towards the Almighty that it enjoys a veritable conversation with the Lord. Psalm 27 expresses so tenderly this spiritual and sacred intimacy. ‘Lord, Thou has said, ‘Seek ye my face’.
My heart says to Thee ,‘Thy face Lord do I seek’ (Psalm 27.8) Let Israel’s worshipping voice from the past encourage us.
‘Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait I say for the Lord’ (Psalm 27.13-14)
HOLY TRINITY & ST BARNABAS’
The Scottish Episcopal Church has begun broadcasting video coverage of Eucharistic services via its website, social media channels and YouTube channel.
The web page for the broadcast is www.scotland.anglican.org/ broadcast-sunday-worship.
These services will be broadcast at 11am on Sunday.
In advance of the broadcast of each service, the Liturgy - the Order of Service - will be available to download from the SEC website.
The next Sunday service is at 11am on August 2, and marks the 9th Sunday after Pentecost.
There will also be a Service of the Word on Thursday, August 6, at 6.30pm.
The website will also contain a downloadable video and audio format of the service.
We are conscious of the need to offer as much assistance as possible to those who have no access to the internet, and we encourage people to distribute the video/audio recordings and the Liturgy widely within their own personal networks.
The St Vincent de Paul Ozanam Centre and StreetConnect/ Cornerstone Paisley drop-in centre have now also suspended their activities from our hall.
We would like also to continue to offer what assistance we can to the vulnerable so if you know of anyone in need of assistance please reach out to us via our Facebook page.