Day 5: Psalms 13-15

In ancient times, the Book of Psalms was often bound as a separate volume called The Psalter.  That's why it's called the Psalter in the Book of Common Prayer--it is a separate collection of the Psalms.  These Psalters were often richly decorated and put on special display.  They were also used to teach people how to read.  

Psalm 13

1	How long, O LORD? will you forget me for ever? *     how long will you hide your face from me?

2	How long shall I have perplexity in my mind, and grief in my heart, day after day? *     how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3	Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; *     give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4	Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," *     and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5	But I put my trust in your mercy; *     my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6	I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; *     I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

A nice short psalm.  This psalm begins by imploring for God's attention and yet ends with just kidding, God, you're great!  Lack of maturity. 

Psalm 14

1	The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." *     All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;     there is none who does any good.
2	The LORD looks down from heaven upon us all, *     to see if there is any who is wise,     if there is one who seeks after God.
3	Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; *     there is none who does good; no, not one.
4	Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *     who eat up my people like bread     and do not call upon the LORD?
5	See how they tremble with fear, *     because God is in the company of the righteous.
6	Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *     but the LORD is their refuge. Another short one!  And no cries for help.  Now the psalmist turns his attention to others--the nonbelievers.   Not me, God!  I believe!  It's those other people who don't believe! Christopher Hitchens was a famous atheist who wrote and debated extensively about his non belief.  And now he is dead.  I guess he has his answer now.

Psalm 15

1	LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *     who may abide upon your holy hill?
2	Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *     who speaks the truth from his heart.
3	There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil to his friend; *     he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4	In his sight the wicked is rejected, *     but he honors those who fear the LORD.
5	He has sworn to do no wrong *     and does not take back his word.
6	He does not give his money in hope of gain, *     nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7	Whoever does these things *     shall never be overthrown. Okay, so this is a famous one.  But is there really anyone who leads a blameless life?  Is there anyone who has never heaped contempt on his neighbor?  I reject the notion that God has set us up to fail. I have to have chemo today to make up for Presidents Day last week.  A friend is coming to sit with me and keep me company while the arsenic is infused into my veins.   She is giving up a beautiful Sunday afternoon to sit inside with me for several hours.  I don't know if she believes in God or is an atheist.  But it doesn't matter if she believes or not.   She (and Christopher Hitchens) will be among those who will abide upon his holy hill.