Wednesday 10 June 2020

Psalm: Psalm 73

Background

King Uzziah reigned in Judah for 52 years, so the year of his death (around 740 BC) would have been a significant milestone in Jewish history. It was also the year that Isaiah received his call to prophetic ministry, which he describes in this colourful, evocative and well-known passage. It is one of just two passages in the Bible where we find the theme for our reflections this week, ‘Holy, holy, holy’ (we look at the other passage, from Revelation, on Saturday). This triple invocation of holiness became known as the ‘Trisagion’ and is  found in many prayers and liturgies, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox church. 

Although Isaiah does not use the word ‘vision’ we understand that it is a vision he is describing, for he goes on to refer to a deep-rooted belief throughout the Hebrew scriptures that no one can see God and live. In Isaiah’s vision, the Lord is seated on a throne and is attended by seraphs, one of several ranks of angels in Jewish and Christian thought, whose name probably means ‘burning ones’. Even these angels cannot look on God directly, so they use two of their wings to cover their faces. Another pair are used for flight and the purpose of the third pair is referred to euphemistically as to ‘cover their feet’, probably indicating a modest screening of genitalia with possible links to urination. (Older translations of 1 Samuel 24:3 refer to Saul entering a cave to ‘cover his feet’, translated in the NRSV as ‘to relieve himself'.)

The inclusion of smoke and shaking to accompany the presence of God add to the sense of wonder and transport that Isaiah describes.They also draw the mind to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18), suggesting that this encounter with God, this ‘theophany’, is as significant as that of God and Moses. It comes as no surprise that against this mysterious and glorious vision, Isaiah is acutely aware of his sinfulness. The description of himself and his nation as those with ‘unclean lips’ indicates a society that is not merely blasphemous, but which has forgotten how to praise and honour God.

Thus it is to Isaiah’s lips that cleansing is offered, in the form of a burning coal, and, forgiven, Isaiah finds himself stepping forward to volunteer as God’s messenger.     

To Ponder:

• If you were to look back from a point in the future and remember ‘In the year of the Coronavirus …’, what transformative encounter with God might you recall?
• Continue reflecting on the call of worship and praise ‘Holy, holy, holy’ and how it shapes your own relationship with God.
• You may like to listen to a musical setting of these words, such as the Sanctus in the Fauré Requiem.