JENNY'S PSALM REFLECTIONS: 78

THIS WEEK’S VERSE IS PSALM 78

"The universe is on your side-even if it doesn’t always feel like it."

Background:

Psalm 78 is a long Psalm with 72 verses, and rather than focus on a single verse, I felt that it might be useful to read the Psalm in its entirety (or read parts of it) and then reflect on a sonnet written by Malcolm Guite on this Psalm. The psalm in its totality describes the history of the people of Israel from early days as they were led out of captivity in Egypt up until the reign of King David. The overall theme is an iteration of the past and through this, to be an encouragement to future generations. It is the story of God’s people into which are woven the key events of the past and how God’s relationship with his people operates over time. As quoted by Joanna Collicutt, “The universe is on your side-even if it doesn’t always feel like it.”

With climate change being our biggest existential issue at present, perhaps you might like to reflect on how God has loved creation throughout all time, and how we can work with Him so that creation is preserved for future generations.

Meditation

1. FIND A Relaxing PLACE. 

Make sure that you are in a quiet place. Sit comfortably but alert – feet flat on the floor, back pushed hard against the back of the chair. Start your reflection by being open and ready to God’s presence. Read all or part of Psalm 78.

2. Focus on your breathing.

Pay attention to in-breaths and out-breaths. You may think of breathing in God’s life and peace and breathing out any tension.

3. Be aware of your body.

Let your aches and pains be there. Rest your hands in your lap; you don’t need to be doing anything with them now. Rest your feet on the floor; you don’t need to go anywhere. Shrug your shoulders, ease your neck. Take time to become still and read the sonnet below.

“He led me out of darkness into light
And now I will proclaim all he has done
To rising generations. My delight

Will be to share the story of the one
Who came to me before I came to him,
Whose love still greets me with each rising sun.

But neither will I hide my sin and shame;
The many times that I refused his grace
And turned my back on him, forgot his name

And sought my former darkness, turned my face
Away from my redeemer. I’ll confess
My own perversity, and dare to trace

My wilful trespass in the wilderness
And how through all of this, my Lord stayed true
And pulled me through with patient tenderness.”

4. Listen to God 

Then, in the stillness, listen to what God might be saying to you.

5. Finish with this prayer:

Great God, you are our deliverer, lead us through the wilderness of the world, and in all our wanderings and temptations, teach us to rest in your mercy, trust in your defence and work for the good of future generation; through him who laid down his life for us. Amen.