A Week of Psalms in New York - Psalm 30 at the World Trade Centre

Psalm 30 is the song of thanksgiving of someone who has survived a terrible crisis, the nature of which is ambiguous but clearly perilous; the psalmist states that their foes were rejoicing over them, that they were in the "Pit".

A Week of Psalms in New York - Psalm 52 at the Rockefeller Centre

The Rockefeller Centre - Picture by Inga Sarda-Sorensen

Unlike most other psalms, here the psalmist begins by addressing those who do not follow God - people who "boast...of mischief done against the godly." Those who "love evil more than good." The psalmist warns them that such a deceitful way of life is not life at all - but an existence that is self-deceiving and ultimately self-defeating. Such people are "uprooted" whilst those who are faithful to God will, like the evergreen olive tree, live in the courts of the Lord forever.

Reflection on Psalm 96

The Lagoon from the illustrated book Jazz by Henri Matisse, 1947

A haiku based on Psalm 96

Sing our song of love

In concert with all the earth. 

Keep on practising.

Reflection on Psalm 39

The Empty Tomb, Ghislaine Howard, 2000

A life tormented by a restless heart.

Is it burning in anger - or with love?

Which flames will fire my lips to speak?

How long must I endure?

A reflection on Psalm 12

The Mock Marriage of Orlando and Rosalind (As You Like It - Act IV Scene I) by Walter Howell Deverell 

Have we made all the world a stage?

Addicted to our own applause? 

Do we owe our Sunday Best to a child refugee?

Who gave us virtues to be seen - or not to be seen : what is the answer?

We cannot ask the faithful - they have been cast out.

A reflection on Psalm 1

Pacino di Bonaguida, Tree of Life, 1310

A personal reflection and prayer based on Psalm 1, one of the psalms appointed for Morning Prayer today.

The Tree of Life.

Evergreen.

Rooted.

Strong yet tender.

Yearning for the Son.

The Cross of Jesus.