Scriptures: Psalm 53 (along with Psalm 14)
Psalm 53 and Psalm 14 are nearly identical. One commentary says that if we think of them like we think of a modern singer taking an old song and changing the tune slightly and maybe a word or two, that would probably explain the minor differences.
Some of our versions give us some information at the beginning of the Psalm, which would be tune instructions as well as (sometimes) who wrote the Psalm. In this case, Psalm 14 says that it’s a song by David; Psalm 53 says that the song should be sung to the tune of Mahalath, then says it’s a song of David.
One of the other main differences is the Hebrew words used for God. Psalm 14 uses mostly “Yahweh” (4 times, vss. 2, 4, 6, and 7) while Psalm 53 uses “Elohim” (all 7 times that God is mentioned).
The major difference in the two Psalms is verse 5; if Psalm 13 is the original, then probably the change in Psalm 53 refers to a specific event. But both Psalms are about God’s deliverance.
Why all the rigmarole about these two Psalms today? Well, not much. Looking at the Psalms as a refuge for us when we are seeking comfort, we sometimes come upon something that catches our attention. This was what happened for me.
I’m trying to stay away from Psalms of lament; we are deep into this pandemic now, hoping for relief soon. Psalm 53: 6 is the verse that jumped out at me this morning (and what follows is my paraphrase of the text): “I pray that our deliverance from what we’re going through would come from God soon! When God restores the well-being of faithful people, then all of us will rejoice and the Church will be glad!”
Remember: we’re not the first people who need deliverance, and we won’t be the last. Let’s always look to the triumph of Jesus over death as our hope; let’s look at the empty cross and the empty tomb; and let’s remember that whether we understand it or not, something happened on Easter that changed the lives of Jesus’ followers in ways they could not explain. All they could do, all we can do, is to live the Gospel (“good news”) of God’s presence with us through all that we face.
Prayer: God, let us not be overwhelmed by our fears; rather, let us celebrate each day for the gifts from You that are before us, in Jesus’ name, amen.
About jamiebrame
Greetings, fellow earthlings. I'm the retired Program Director at Christmount, the national retreat, camp, and conference center of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Black Mountain, NC. From September 2019 through October, 2020, I served Timberlake Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lynchburg, VA, as interim minister. After taking more than a year off, First Christian Church (DoC), Wilson, NC, offered me the position of Interim Minister, beginning May 10, 2022.
Originally from Eden, NC, I graduated from John Motley Morehead High School, earned a BA in Religion and Philosophy at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College), and eked out a Master of Divinity from the Divinity School at Duke University. I served, in various positions, churches (part time and full time) in North Carolina and Georgia, and have lived in Black Mountain, NC, since 1989. I married Renae in 1992 (she refers to these years as "looooooooooong" years.
I've spent the past 50 years or so trying to practice Christian contemplative prayer with some touches of Zen meditation to help the journey along. Married to a wife who is much holier than I am, I am fortunate to learn from her daily about how to do this thing called spirituality. Being an ordained minister doesn't make me holy (but occasionally, as you'll read, a little sanctimonious, so forgive me in advance!); but I hope that I put my education to good use.
I'd love to be considered a spiritual teacher, but I know myself too well to claim that. While I do a bit of teaching, I think the best teaching we do is when we remain silent (the old desert abba said something like, "if you won't learn from my silence, you won't learn from my talking"). But silence shouldn't turn into quietism, and we do have to speak out and act for justice and fairness and equality for all.
I frequently ask myself the question, "Does it matter?" about the major - and minor - issues of the day. What I think matters: love for God, equality, fairness, loving our neighbor, feeding hungry people, housing homeless ones, clothing naked ones, and especially caring for children; basically, caring for those who have some trouble caring for themselves. AND our relationship with God.
What doesn't matter: what you think of me. I'm not very Christ-like. You won't hear me talking about all the things I do for others, or all the things I do for God - I was taught that It's not about me, and using good works to get attention for myself isn't what Christian faith is about - look up "narcissism" on Google. I'm not sure Jesus thinks it matters much that I am like him or not, but I do. The old story from the rabbis is probably apropo: when I am hauled up before God at the end of time, God isn't going to ask me why I wasn't more like someone else: I will be asked why I wasn't more like me. The rabbis tell the story better.
I'm still a work in progress, as Renae will attest to.
Finally, I just hope that something you read here will make you think. Use what you can, ignore the rest. Go read some of the desert saints. Read the classics. Take care of people, never point to yourself, and don't follow me: I'm just hoping to be one more signpost to God.
And as one friend reminded me the week before I left Christmount, "It matters."
Oh, and my favorite color is probably blue, and I love cats, and I love my wife's music. I don't like beets.
Does It Matter 