July 8, 2024 — suggested reading: Psalm 105:16 – 106:48

“Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times. Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you deliver them; that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory in your heritage.” Psalm 106:1-5

The early church used the Psalms both as liturgical materials in early Christian worship, and as a theological resource for teaching. Evidence for the first use is found in Paul’s advice to the Colossians, that they were to “sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”  As one commentary puts it: “The book of Psalms is quoted and alluded to in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament book.” (The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IV)

I think it is difficult for us to look at the Psalms as exclusively liturgical material for several reasons. First of all the Psalms are often attributed to an author which comes from the tradition of placing the text into a particular historical context. Does it really matter, after all, if the psalm in question was written by David, or some other Old Testament character? I would say no to that question – but it does help when we consider the Psalm as it relates to other Old Testament texts. In fact, we use the Psalm in our liturgy to support the Old Testament reading. And second, the Psalms are often one of the first readings I turn to at a funeral, or at the bedside of someone who is dying. The words of the Psalms bring comfort where simple contemporary poetry will not.

Whatever is determined by scholars about the authorship of the material, the psalms are a great source of liturgical poetry and words of meditation and comfort. For these reasons, and many others, we should study them as often as possible.

Pastor Dave