Psalm 102

Reading for August 11, 2012      Psalm 102

I was driving through the countryside recently and saw the most beautiful willow tree. Whenever I see a willow tree I recall Psalm 137:

By the rivers of Babylon—

   there we sat down and there we wept

   when we remembered Zion.

On the willows there

   we hung up our harps.

For there our captors

   asked us for songs,

and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,

   ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’

Psalm 137:1-3

Hence the common name for the tree, weeping willow. Psalm 137 laments Israel’s Babylonian captivity, as does todays reading of Psalm 102. Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, what today is known as the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, was a part of the oral history of Israel. The exile to slavery of Israel necessitated writing their history so that it would not be lost. Some of the first words written were, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This account of creation from Genesis 1 reminded the Israelites that the LORD was the God of Order. Those were comforting words in the midst of the chaos and confusion of their captivity.

The psalmist in Psalm 102 confesses Israel is overwhelmed by her troubles, but he doesn’t focus only on their problems. He extols the virtues, the character of God, and concludes, “The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence” (Psalm 102:28).

The great temptation, when we encounter the pain and difficulties of life, is to focus on our troubles. Psalm 102 is a reminder that, while we do not deny our pain, we can chose to lift our eyes to heaven and find comfort and strength in the eternal mercy and goodness of God, our Father.

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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Reading for August 12, 2012      Psalm 103