Psalm 80 — Psalms of Asaph This is a very structured psalm five stanzas with a refrain after the first, second and last stanzas, which is what you would expect to a song written to an existing tune. There are other ways of translating the introduction, but that ‘The Lilies of the Covenant’ is an …
Category: God blogs
Will you be angry for ever? — Psalm 79:5
Psalm 79 — Psalms of Asaph This psalm, attributed to Asaph is clearly not by the worship leader from the reigns of Kings David and Solomon, the events are too late. Unlike previous psalms with Asaph's name this does mentioned the Temple and Jerusalem in ruins. The destruction of the Temple when Judah was taking …
What is the church?
People, in places where many buildings, including churches, have been closed temporarily or voluntarily due to corona vaccine are wanting their buildings back. The latest, question in the UK, on this day of compiling a blog post from notes (Monday 25th January 2021) is "When will schools open?" My answer to that question is that …
In spite of his wonders, they did not believe — Psalm 78:32
Psalm 78 — Psalms of Asaph As far as the psalms of Asaph go, this is the big one, literally. At 72 verses long it is over twice the length of any of Asaph's psalms. This is a song of love about God's care for his people, but it is also a warning, and a …
Continue reading In spite of his wonders, they did not believe — Psalm 78:32
A redemption song and mustard seed
Holy Trinity Church, HuddersfieldSunday 24th January 2021 This was not a good week for someone with osteo-arthritis. On Thursday the pain in my bad ankle was so bad due to the cold and damp, even inside thought it was sleeting outside and the cold and damp was penetrating the bad joint, that I returned to …
When I meditate, my spirit faints — Psalm 77:3
Psalm 77 — Psalms of Asaph When I meditate I feel discouraged. Words from the Good News Bible from verse 3, and for a lot of my time in the last 14 years also my experience. Following an accident, not my fault, I went through a difficult time in my relationship with God and particularly …
Continue reading When I meditate, my spirit faints — Psalm 77:3
Let all the neighbouring lands bring gifts — Psalm 76:11
At first sight this war song is one praising God for victory. But look at the context: The tabernacle is in Salem (later renamed Jerusalem) which dates it to David's reign or early Solomon. From the bringing of the arc to Salem in 2 Samuel 6 to the finishing of the temple the arc of …
Continue reading Let all the neighbouring lands bring gifts — Psalm 76:11
10,000 reasons not to be downcast
BBC local radio serviceSunday 17th January 2021plus some from Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield Holy Trinity Huddersfield seen from the sanctuary Today, i found out listening to the radio in bed, is Quitter Sunday, which marks the time when 75% of people have already broken their New Years' resolutions. Congratulations if you are in the 25%. …
The horns of the wicked — Psalm 75:10
Psalm 75 — Psalms of Asaph The words at the end of this psalm are reflected in the words of Mary in what is now known as the Magnificat, Asaph said: I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,who says, ‘I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the …
Have you rejected us for ever? — Psalm 74:1
Psalm 74 — Psalms of Asaph Who wrote this psalm? There are three possible answers to this question: Someone using the name of Asaph from the time of the Babylonian exile.Asaph prophesying the destruction of Solomon's Temple.Asaph talking about the destruction of the home of the tabernacle at Shiloh There are reasons for each of …
Continue reading Have you rejected us for ever? — Psalm 74:1
Making an ass of myself 