PSALM 78 – RIDDLES PRESENTED BY HISTORY

 

PSALM 78 – RIDDLES PRESENTED BY HISTORY

APPOINTED PSALM FOR SUNDAY 8^TH NOVEMBER 2020

22^ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

History is always a subject of intrigue – it is studied and read with the intention of trying to understand the vagaries of human behaviour. The Hebrew or Israelites had a strong sense of history because their God met with them and communicated with them, making promises and asking for their commitment to him. Much of the Old Testament deals with the historical and covenantal relationship of these people with their God. This is a God who makes covenant with a people who regularly break the covenant.

1       Give heed to my teaching O my people:
incline your ears to the words of my mouth,

2       For I will open my mouth in a parable:
and expound the mysteries of former times.

This an instructive poem of some 72 verses, we read only some 7 verses and from them we discover the riddles of history that affected the way people thought in the days before the Kingdom of Israel was divided at the end of Solomon’s reign. So, the leader of the liturgy would use these words to call people’s attention to what is taking place.

3       What we have heard and known:
what our forefathers have told us,

4       We will not hide from their children
but declare to a generation yet to come:
the praiseworthy acts of the Lord
his mighty and wonderful works.

The people are raised to pass on the historic traditions to the children that come after them. The rituals that take place each year may be not clear to the young ones but the responsibility to pass it on is in the hands of the parents. They are there not to have good time worshipping but to take that into their hearts and give it to their children so that it is ‘declared to a generation yet to come.’ We have not always done that with our own children - been enthusiastic about the fact you have lived dependent on God so far, so that they catch the excitement of being with God.

5       He established a law in Jacob and made a decree in Israel:
which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,

The historical is suggested in the naming of Jacob, one of the patriarchs who wrestled with God and received a promise of land. That promise was based upon a commitment to keep God’s rules and ordinances and being faithful and obedient through them to God.

6       That future generations might know
and the children yet unborn:
that they in turn might teach it to their sons;

7       So that they might put their confidence in God:
and not forget his works but keep his commandments,

The poem attempts to remind the people that they had, at some stage in their journey with God, failed him. The objective of the psalm is an attempt to prevent this past failure occurring in the next generation. We need to be sure of our traditions so that our children can be included in the benefits of walking with God.

Thank you Fr Graham Alston for your weekly narrative on the appointed psalms