Thursday 24 November 2016

Psalm: Psalm 56

Background

Chapters 31-32 of Deuteronomy portray Moses' final words toIsrael. His words are handed down in two forms - the law and asong. The editor of these two chapters has struggled to weave thesetogether in a coherent narrative. Deuteronomy 31:19-22 prepared the way fortoday's passage - which is the first part of Moses' song (Deuteronomy 32:1-43).

The song in its present form has developed over many centurieswhile Israel was settled in Canaan, up to the time when Deuteronomywas written in the seventh century BC.

Verses 1-3: Moses calls heaven and earth (everything andeveryone that exists) to hear his song. It is life-nourishing forIsrael - like dew or a gentle shower watering a garden (verse 2).It proclaims God's character ("name" (v. 3)) and God'sgreatness.

Verses 4-9: God is stable and durable, like a rock; God isperfect and just in all God's actions, and reliable. God is "yourfather, who created you, who made you and established you" (v. 6).From of old, God apportioned land to the many nations of the worldand put them under the oversight of lesser deities (verse 8). ButIsrael was God's own, specially-loved people (verse 9).

Verses 10-14: Out of love, God sustained and guided Israel inthe wilderness, after the liberation from slavery in Egypt (verse10). God cared and provided for Israel like an eagle for her young(verse 11). Israel was brought into a wonderfully fruitful andjoyous life in Canaan (verses 13-14).

So the mystery is posed: How is it that Israel has proved to beperverse and crooked, foolish and senseless, dealing falsely withthe God of faithful love who kept Israel like the apple of his eye(verses 5-6, 10)?

To Ponder

• In Christian worship, the main sources we use and interpret todiscern God's will and ways are the Scriptures (Old and NewTestaments), the sacraments and the rich traditions of psalms,hymns and songs. How significant for you is congregational singing?In your experience, are there hymns or songs which communicate thegospel to you with special power?

• The mysterious and stubborn tendency in us all to contradictGod's ways, or to indulge ourselves in life-style choices that wefind to be delightful even though they are manifestly at odds withwhat we sing and pray about in church, makes for a Christiancommunity that needs constant reformation. Who in your setting hasproved particularly challenging and helpful in keeping the Churchtrue to its calling?