 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Wednesday, January 19, 2022 For Sunday -Psalm 19 Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to another. Although they have no words or language, and their voices are not heard, Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world. In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to run its course. It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; nothing is hidden from its burning heat.  Re-read that. Nearly all cultures credited the stars, the sun and moon, the “firmament” with the power to “declare” the glory of God -or the gods…to give revelation. Think of this when you read the story of the wise men from “the dawning,” i.e., from the east, who “saw his star” And notice also – this is poetry, and theology, not science – and the ancient author knew it. And it is magnificent, too – you feel the same thing when you see a glorious sunrise, or a full moon, or the stars – or a deep red sunset…  Psalm 19: 7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent. The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart ;the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold more than much fine gold, far sweeter than honey, than honey in the comb. By them also is your servant enlightened, and in keeping them there is great reward.  “Law,” “Statutes,” “commandments,” “judgments” Do you see how they are celebrated by the psalmist? No whining or complaining – no dismissing them as oppressive? Torah, the whole first five bools of the Bible are “the Law” – not just some arbitrary set of rules -The story of creation is part of the Law – so are the stories of Noah, and Abraham, and Isaac, and Moses and the Exodus – and the settling in a new land. It’s all “law” – and every bit of it is also grace.The “law” as Israel saw it – and as Jews see it – is God’s great gift of freedom and direction, of hope and guidance and joy – It is an evidence of God’s overwhelming love and choice of a people who were chosen specifically to reveal the goodness of God to the nations…the way to live in peace, the truth of God, and the life that was available to any who were willing to walk in it – This is what we say Jesus has become for us: all of that – the new Law of liberty, the Way the Truth, the Life – Jesus himself is the new Torah.  Psalm 19: 12-14 Who can tell how often he offends? cleanse me form my secret faults. Above all keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. C S Lewis’s commentary on this passage The Order of the Divine Mind, embodied in the Divine Law, is beautiful. What should man do but try to reproduce it.  Happy Birthday today to Dana Rocha! |
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