Psalms for Ukraine
Songs of Hope in Times of War
Psalm 132: Anticipation
I remember not being able to sleep the night before our wedding. Partly, it was nerves; mostly, it was anticipation. The day we’d been planning for months was almost here, and there was so much to look forward to. The Psalms of Ascents were a group of travellers’ songs, sung by God’s people on their annual pilgrimage up to Jerusalem for their religious festivals. The last three (Psalms 132-134) express the anticipation of almost being there. The temple in...
Psalm 78
When others fail me, and when I fail too, how can I know God won’t give up on me? God's actions in history are recorded in the Old Testament through the story of the Israelites. Psalm 78 is a long reflection on these actions, and it observes a cycle that repeats over...
Psalm 77
Christian faith is not always easy. Sometimes it is really, really hard. I really appreciate how honest Asaph is about the wrestling involved in the life of faith (v1-9). There are sleepless nights, with disturbing thoughts that won't be comforted (v2). There is...
Psalm 71
This is a song written by someone who needs help and safety (v1-2), and is threatened by malicious pursuers (v10-11). And yet repeated throughout the psalm is a desire to sing: even in the midst of this frightening experience, they keep finding reasons to sing God’s...