Sundays After Pentecost, Year B 2023 – 24: Psalm Passage – Imaging the Divine through the eyes of the psalmist; Preacher & Seeker work at this

Seeker: “Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.”

Preacher: “Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.” I am trying to find my footing here, Seeker. To enter into the place and sentiment of praise that the psalmist is setting forth. Certainly the Divine is worthy of praise – there is no question of that. But this seems to be praising the Lord God simply for being the Lord God. It is easier for me to praise the Lord God for actions, either on my behalf or on the behalf of others. Adoration of the Lord God, well . . . it is not a natural fit for me.

Seeker: I understand what you are saying, Preacher. We have both had our days when praise and adoration is not something that is at the forefront of our thinking. But, the Lord God loves us simply because we exist. And the psalmist praises and adores the Divine simply because the Divine exists. “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.”

Preacher: “He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.” I have pondered on this, and am pondering now. When I see or feel the movement of the Divine, I do praise and adore my Lord God. It is hard though to feel & emulate the praise & adoration when it originates in the soul and spirit of another. I honor what the psalmist feels and am glad for him. If I can hear or see what the Divine has done for another, then I could praise with that person. But here it is just the psalmist painting his personal vision.

Seeker: Maybe that is a way to enter into the psalmist’s thinking; to see his vision of the Divine through his eyes. “The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.” Image the Holy Words of the Divine shooting forth like flames, or even lightening bolts. Or like the Tongues of Fire that danced on the disciples’ heads.

Preacher: “The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.” Yes, Seeker, yes! The voice of the Lord making trees tremble like a Mighty Wind blowing through them. Not tearing them apart but making them sway to an inner song. “The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!” Well, maybe the Voice of the Divine does cause a little limb and branch damage!

Seeker: “The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.” Well, yes. The psalmist does describe the Might of the Lord God with great vehemence. I can see, Preacher, where it might not align with some other Aspects of the Divine.

Preacher: “May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29) But you are correct also, Seeker. If one takes these verses as an image or vision of the Might & Power of the Divine as opposed to a literal tearing apart of nature, I can see where the psalmist might be awestruck. Nature, quite apart from the actions and intentions of the Divine, is a mighty force. And if one, such as the psalmist, ascribes the vehemence and violence of nature to the Divine – such a vision would give pause and motivate both poetry and prose. Furthermore, compared to the gods of other nations that do nothing but sit in silence as inert stone etc, a God that causes a stir would be praised and celebrated. Yes, this has been a good conversation and interlude of pondering for me.

Seeker: Shalom & Selah!