Delight!

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delight, humanize, psalm 149, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

On my way to the gospel for this morning, I encountered a surprising thought. It came from Psalm 149, the psalm refrain for the day’s lectionary. The actual ” refrain” (what was repeated repeatedly (😇) between every two stanzas of the psalm, said “GOD TAKES DELIGHT IN HIS PEOPLE!”

What struck me was the fact that I had never (or maybe just not for a long time) thought about God exercising emotional responses of that kind in relationship to us. I am mostly always aware of my responses to gifts of God but I don’t think about the opposite, i.e. God’s response to my behaviors. Oh, of course I was taught to please God and not disappoint God, but when I think of DELIGHT, there’s a whole new image in me of what the response would be on God’s part. I can see God doing somersaults or singing a chorus of “alleluia!!!” or some such behavior. And that makes me smile…as if it humanizes God somehow…and not just Jesus—whom we know was “like us in all things but sin.” I’m talking about THE GODHEAD! The One we adore, the Creator…

Ah, the vagaries of my mind…Are you with me at all? Can you imagine God delighting in you like that…? Maybe even grabbing you in a great big bear hug and singin : “I’m just wild about Harry (or Lois), And she’s just wild about me!” (Are you smiling yet, at least?)

Singing Our Praise!

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beloved, faithful, glory, harmony, Holy One, humble, love, Nan Merrill, Peace, praise the Lord, presence, psalm 149, psalms, Psalms for Praying, sing, sing to the Lord, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Sometimes at our Tuesday “Lunch With the Psalms” meetings, one of us will ask, “Didn’t we just have this one…really recently?” I think about young people over the centuries who have studied the Hebrew Scriptures, part of which was memorizing the psalms, getting tripped up by the similarities, especially in the last five (146-150) which all start with Praise the Lord! with the possible exception of 149 that in most translations we’re told to sing to the Lord!

Wanting a fresh image or two from the psalm of the day to remind me of the fact that we are still in the joyful season of Christmas, I turned to Nan Merrill’s Psalms For Praying this morning. I smiled at her first words: Praise the Beloved! She follows by calling us to song but cannot begin without reminding us of the responsibility of offering the gift of praise to the one who guides us in every moment. Her translation of this psalm is lovely; why not sing the whole thing with full voice?

Praise the Beloved! Sing a joy-filled song praising the Blessed One among the people! Be glad in the Creator, rejoice in Love Divine. Praise the Holy One with dancing, with melodies and voice! For the Beloved dwells within, journeying with us through all our lives, leading us in truth and love. The humble are adorned with honor; the faithful exult in glory, singing for joy with thankful hearts! With truth on our tongues, with gratitude as our friend, we are in harmony with the universe, as we hold hands with all the people. The chains of oppression are broken, the fetters of injustice unbound. The realm of Peace and Love shall reign! Glory abides with those who are faith-filled. Praise the Beloved! All peoples on earth, welcome Love’s Companioning Presence into your hearts!

 

 

 

 

 

Music Is Power!

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Alleluia, ancient songs, balm, cosmic dance, global consciousness, music, psalm 149, singing, singing for joy, spiritual power, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, Thomas Merton

Like many people in this rather dismal month – both meteorologically and politically – I haven’t spent much time “singing for joy,” as the psalms often say. I was reminded of that by Psalm 149 this morning. In fact, each of the last five psalms in the Psalter begins with the word Alleluia! (italicized here to remind us that it is impossible to say or sing that word in a manner grumpy or dull). The line that piqued my attention read (in alternative translation) “Never stop singing, for music is power.” (vs. 6) Reading the attached commentary pushed me even further toward reflection on the power of music to lift the spirits of those who sing. Here’s what I read:

…the spiritual power of music is able to accomplish things that appear impossible to the rational mind. Music has strange effects upon the minds and hearts of human beings…Has beauty ever “cut to the heart” of your own soul? Has music ever “stricken” you so that you simply cannot remain any longer in a particular state of being or consciousness? (Ancient Songs Sung Anew)

I grew up with music and singing in my home and my church. It is an integral part of all rituals, be they weddings, funerals or holiday events. When I’m driving, if I choose to break the silence that more and more becomes important when I am alone, my choice of CD is not random; I always opt for what will be of greatest benefit to my spirit. And it isn’t just for me. I remember the effect of the “We Are the World” concert many years ago that was so powerful to so many and brought us back to global consciousness whenever we heard the theme of the event and were motivated to join the “cosmic dance,” as Thomas Merton urges us.

So today I will urge myself and everyone to “sing praise to God with timbrel and harp” so as to remember that music can be a great balm to the soul.