Canon Rob's Reflections

Walter Brueggemann, in his book “Praying the Psalms,” reminded me that we so often take things for granted and at a time when we seem to be surrounded by “bad news” we fail to see the “good news” that is also happening around us. Today’s psalm can help redress the balance and it is the only one given the title “A psalm of praise.” This is surprising because, in one of my commentaries on the psalms, I read that for the people of Israel in the Old Testament, “praise is the most characteristic mode of existence.” [‘The Psalms in the Life of God’s People’ by Dermot Fox.] Only the first 7 verses are set for today, but if you take the trouble to read the whole of Psalm 145, you will see that each verse is an opportunity to praise God for His loving kindness. It is certainly a psalm to lift the heart and how appropriate on the day when we remember St Bartholomew one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. Very little is known about him but it is possible that he was the same person as Nathanael. [See John 1.43-51 where Nathanael, on his first meeting with Jesus, recognises him as the “Son of God” and “King of Israel.”] Such faith is a gift from God and one for which we can pray and celebrate using the verses of Psalm 145 set for today.

Verse 1 sets the tone for the remaining twenty one verses, each of them being a different way of praising the Lord who is known by the author as the Universal King. As before, we don’t know who the author is, but it is a very personal hymn of praise and thanksgiving as is shown in the first two verses: “I will exalt you...” and “Every day I will bless you and praise your name…” [See also the last verse which begins, “My mouth shall speak of the praise of the Lord…”] However, the psalmist recognises that he is not alone in his joy and thanksgiving. On the contrary, as he says in verse 4, “One generation shall praise your works to another and declare your mighty acts.” This echoes what we find in Psalm 78 where parents and others are to teach children about the faith; a responsibility which continues for those who are Christians. Such instruction was not thought of as a chore but a joy. Faith is to be celebrated and the more the verses of today’s psalm were repeated and meditated upon, it was said, the more thankful and joyful the person of faith would become. As mentioned earlier, Psalm 145 can help redress the balance in our lives which can easily be overwhelmed by ‘bad’ news. Whether or not it is still the case, members of the Jewish community were encouraged to recite the psalm three times a day because it would increase their sense of joy and faith in God and all His wonderful works.

The psalms were originally the hymns of the Jewish community during Old Testament times and in the hymn book we use at St. Dunstan’s there are sixteen beginning with the word “praise,” perhaps the most well known of which is “Praise my soul, the King of heaven” based on Psalm 103. [‘Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New’] Today’s psalm is the first of the five final hymns of praise in the Psalter, composing one hundred and fifty psalms. The Book therefore finishes on a “high” just as many concerts do. Those who sang these hymns would leave the Temple at the end of worship filled with renewed hope, joy and thanksgiving. The same is often true for all who share in Christian worship today. At each Eucharist, we come together, joined by all God’s saints and angels and begin by confessing our sins and are assured of God’s forgiveness. We are then fed by the readings from scripture and hear them interpreted in the sermon. We offer prayers for the Church, the world, the local community, all who are sick or in need and commend into God’s love and care those who have died. We receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion and, after the last hymn, we are blessed ready to be sent out “in the power of the Spirit to live and work” to God’s praise and glory, just as Bartholomew and the other apostles were sent out by Jesus.