INTRODUCTION: 1] Psalms
are poetry for singing;
personal, depending not on rhyme, but repeating an idea differently,
developing it, contrasting it, etc. They date from pre-1000 BC (David)
to mid 400s
BC. Being of their day, we may
find attitudes in some PSs abhorrent. 2]
The
APB text differs from Bible versions. 3]
After Pentecost, the PSS in Breakthrough will be the alternative ones
set. 4] vv.1-5 are full of
confidence, 21-27 of thankfulness, separated by a very 'down'
passage.
WARMING UP: What kinds of lyrics do we prefer in 'popular'
music?
TREASURES OLD & NEW:
Identify God at work in anything this week?
ENTERING INTO THE STORY:
1-3 Do we often think of God as
shelter? Is the idea of God as 'shelter' just escapism, or is there a
positive side to 'sheltering in God'? Does shame play much of a part in
our life these days? What does it mean that a) God, & b) we are
'righteous'? Does it ever suit us to equate 'righteous' with
'self-righteous' when the two have mutually exclusive meanings? Does
the imagery of God stooping down to hear us better do anything for us
these days? Do we ever give God a 'hurry up' call as the PSt is doing
here? Do we think much of God as our 'refuge..fortress.. stronghold'
today? Does imagery like that smack a bit too much of militarism, the
'Onward Christian soldiers' sort of thing? Is there a more positive
side to imagery like this?
4-5
When we pray for God to 'lead me & guide me' as here, is it more
likely to be for God's Name's sake or for my own sake? Have we ever
fallen into anyone's 'net' as the PSt laments here? Does 'Into your
hands I commit my spirit' commend itself as a good beginning & / or
end to our prayers on any & every occasion? How much is it
important to us that God is the 'God of truth'? Does that depend on how
important truth itself us to us - or vice-versa?
21-5 Is it
our experience that God's goodness is 'plentiful'? Do we 'fear' God, or
stand in awe of God? If we aren't coming to God 'for refuge' as much as
the PSt advocates, is that an indicator of our having lost our sense of
dependence upon God? Do we ever feel we need shelter from either
'the plots of our enemies' or 'the strife of tongues'? How
confident are we that God's love is
'steadfast'? Do we ever feel like 'a city besieged', or could we
imagine what it would feel like for our personal life to be like that?
Are we sometimes 'hasty' in
deciding or feeling we're 'cut off from God's sight'? What must it be
like to feel like that about us & God? How can / could we move from
a state of affairs where we feel 'cut off from God's sight' to a state
of thankfulness that God has 'heard the voice of my supplication'?
26-7 What's
the difference between actually loving God & talking about loving
God? What's the proof of that difference? Do we regard ourself as
'true'. How does God give the proud their come-uppance? Are strength
& courage of heart as reliable as 'weapons' in our spiritual
armoury as we really need them to be? If they aren't, might that be
because we're trusting more in someone / something else than in God?
Plus:
Can we identify any of the themes raised above in today's Gospel (MT
7:15-29)
