This week we read Psalms 35 - 60
This finished the first book and moved into the second.
There are several Psalms in this that are worthy of comment - but there are two that I want to focus on - 42 and 51
Psalm 42 is an individual lament. The refrain - that you find in verses 6 and 12 - is also repeated in verse 5 of Psalm 43 - that leads some scholars to think that these two were once one psalm.
The prominent image in the psalm is that of water - it moves from the stream to the psalmist's tears to the sea. This is a psalm of lament of exile. It has resonated with many people through many centuries.
Psalm 51 is used in the Episcopal liturgy on Ash Wednesday. It is also an individual lament. The historical heading connects the psalm to David's adultery with Bathsheba. Verses 3-9 are prayers of pardon and confession. Verses 10 - 14 are prayers of restoration. Verses 15 -19 are praise of God before the community. Verses 20-21 are prayers for the restoration of Jerusalem.
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