Psalm 61 may be interpreted as a prayer of David when he had to flee from Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom. Even kings are lonely and afraid. How many days of the week do we feel the need to pray as a king in distress and in exile? Powerless in the face of attack from his enemy the psalmist prays “Only in God is my soul at rest” in Psalm 62. The first 11 verses of Psalm 63 are considered to be “truly notable bits of devotional writing in all the literature of religion” according to the commentary. Homesick, again, the psalmist prays for God’s sanctuary and for defeat of his enemy in this psalm. I wonder if his enemy is praying the same prayer. What is God to do? Surely God will punish the wicked is the lament of Psalm 64. The Israelites sit in gratitude of a bountiful harvest in Psalm 65. In Psalm 66 the psalmist reminds himself and God of the great work of deliverance for which his people are eternally grateful. These ancient people pray with such confidence that they thank God in advance for having heard their prayer. Is this letting go and let God? Psalm 67 is a praise song in thanksgiving for a good harvest. Even then, good music was at the heart of liturgy
Psalm 61 may be interpreted as a prayer of David when he had to flee from Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom. Even kings are lonely and afraid. How many days of the week do we feel the need to pray as a king in distress and in exile? Powerless in the face of attack from his enemy the psalmist prays “Only in God is my soul at rest” in Psalm 62. The first 11 verses of Psalm 63 are considered to be “truly notable bits of devotional writing in all the literature of religion” according to the commentary. Homesick, again, the psalmist prays for God’s sanctuary and for defeat of his enemy in this psalm. I wonder if his enemy is praying the same prayer. What is God to do? Surely God will punish the wicked is the lament of Psalm 64. The Israelites sit in gratitude of a bountiful harvest in Psalm 65. In Psalm 66 the psalmist reminds himself and God of the great work of deliverance for which his people are eternally grateful. These ancient people pray with such confidence that they thank God in advance for having heard their prayer. Is this letting go and let God? Psalm 67 is a praise song in thanksgiving for a good harvest. Even then, good music was at the heart of liturgy
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