Saturday, March 18, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
Psalm 149

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the Lord! (NRSV)

Reflection

This is a passage of extremes, and at first it struck me as an odd passage for Lent.

The psalm begins with praise and calls for singing, complete with references to melodies and musical instruments. It’s beautiful imagery. Likely for that reason, it’s often used as a Call to Worship and has been set to music by Dvořák and Bach. Yet those references are what make it an odd passage for Lent, when we tend to focus on more solemn music and avoid hymns that use “Gloria” and “Alleluias.”

Then the tone shifts.

The passage becomes darker, with calls to “execute vengeance” and references not to musical instruments but punishments and iron chains. What do we make of this dichotomy?

I struggled with that question until I focused on the phrase “two-edged sword” (or double-edged, depending on the translation). Religion, and, if we are fair, our faith, is a bit of a double-edged sword. Religion can promote good and cause conflict. We are called to repent and serve others, and we are called to fight for justice for those who can’t. (Indeed, I’m sure every one of our pastors would agree that they can barely preach a sermon without receiving praises for a powerful sermon and complaints that they went too far.)

And yet maybe that duality is an apt reminder for Lent. We are somber and penitent. We give things up, and we focus more on our faith. And it’s all in preparation for the joyous Easter morning that is to come.

So maybe this isn’t that odd of a passage for Lent. Maybe it captures what we are experiencing — in this liturgical season, in our lives, and in our faith: that we are called to do God’s will but so often we fall short. And even when we do, God still loves us. That may be the ultimate dichotomy of our faith.

Prayer

Loving God, help me experience the richness of Lent. Remind me that I’m called to serve and to be penitent, even when I don’t. Help me to look past the solemness of this season and anticipate the joy of Easter morning. Give me the strength and focus to do better while reminding me of your steadfast love for those times when I feel I’m falling short. Help me sing a new song. Amen.

Written by Mark Nelson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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