Week 4

Psalm 91 … In the shelter of God's wings

The Psalter is divided into 5 books: Bk 1 = Ps 1-41 Bk 2 = Ps 42-72 Bk 3 = Ps 73-89 Bk 4 = Ps 90-106 Bk 5 - Ps 107-150. Note this division if you look carefully at your Bible. There are some distinctive features about the psalms in each of these books but this goes beyond what we are able to consider in these little reflections. We will cover some of this in classes.

In addition to these 5 books (which may intentionally recall the 5 books of TORAH), the Psalter is also a mix of various categories or forms of psalms. Some are prayers of supplication or lament of an individual (eg: Psalm 40) or of the community (eg: 74). Some are Royal Psalms, addressing issues of importance to the dynasty (Ps 2) or Psalms of Zion that emphasize the uniqueness of Jerusalem/Zion (Ps 46). Some are Psalms of Praise (Ps 117) or of thanksgiving (Ps 116) , Penitential Psalms (Ps 51) or Wisdom Psalms (Ps 1) . Many efforts have been made to put some kind of order into the Psalter, but these efforts seem to be good servants but bad masters. The Psalter is a mix of various responses and emotions and prayers to God for or by individuals or a community. Isn't this reflective of life? It's all in there! It points out to us how we are to come before God in all the various moments of life.

Sometimes we are surprised to learn that familiar hymns are really adapted from the ancient psalms of the Bible. Psalm 27 which we considered last week along with Psalm 91, our choice for this week, are examples of this. There are many others as well.

It might also be timely to comment on translations. I am using the Grail translation. Some of you may be using the Psalms from the New American Bible or the New Revised Standard or the New Jerusalem Bible. We may be at odds with verse numbers at times and also the translations will be slightly different. This is only a positive thing. Comparing whatever translation you have with another will reveal nuances of meaning that help you ponder the richness of these prayers. We begin to understand how limited is human language when speaking of divine realities!

In Hebrew poetry, the writers use a device called "parallelism". How are lines related to each other? Look at vs 1 (vs 2 in the New American). Note that there are 2 lines within that verse. How are these related to one another?

You who DWELL in the SHELTER of the MOST HIGH

Who ABIDE in the SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY

Are these lines synonymous? Do they attempt to convey the same meaning with the use of different words? Answer to this is yes! The parallelism helps us to understand more profoundly what the psalmist is trying to say. "Dwell" and "abide" suggest presence, security and constancy. "Shelter" and "shadow" may suggest the temple and the sacred recesses of the Holy of Holies and the thick darkness of this holy place where God is mysteriously present . In vs 4 we note another reference to "wings" as offering shelter. Here we may recall the wings of the cherubim that are over the Ark of the Covenant and also the eagle wings of Exodus 19:3 , descriptive of how God bore the people up during their desert wandering. "Shadow" suggests the elusive, protective proximity of God.

The names for God are different but still refer to the God of Israel. These are ancient names. The "Most High" recalls the name of God invoked by Melchizedek who was a "Priest of God Most High". This is the name by which Abraham invoked God. It seems to imply God's pre-eminence and perhaps the high places where temples were built. "Almighty" is another name that suggests the mountain fastness, secure and impregnable, where ancient people imagined the homes of gods to be. Again, Abraham addresses God by this title in Gen 17 .

There is much in this psalm that recalls Israel's past. Remember this is one of the points to be attentive to when praying the psalm! "Terror of the night" (vs 5) … recall Exodus. Vs 7 may bring to mind the accounts in Joshua and Judges where Israel overcame the might of opponents because God was "fighting" for them. Recall the might of the Amalekites or Midianites or Canaanites who were no match for the strength of Israel's God. Mention of the "Angel" to guide (vs 11-12). In the Bible, angels are beings who are tangible signs of the nearness of God, of his love and care. (we express this in our belief that each of us has a Guardian Angel! - God's love surrounds us!) Recall the Angel of Exodus (Ch 14) and the Angel Raphael who accompanied Tobiah and the angels that appear in Jacob's dream. This passage might also spark remembrance of the temptation scene in the Gospel where the devil quotes the Bible (out of context) to Jesus.

The dangers that confront every human person surround us day and night: "terror of night…arrow by day { } pestilence of dark …plague at noon" (vs 4 and 5). This psalm does not present an idyllic existence, or immunity from suffering, but holds out that if we seek our refuge in God, such trials will strengthen us to grow in the ways of God. The closing verses of Psalm 91 from the Grail translation are as follows:

"You set your love on me so I will save you,

Protect you for you know my name.

When you call I shall answer: "I am with you,"

I will save you in distress and give you glory.

With length of days I will content you;

I shall let you see my saving power."

There is a strength that comes in openness to God's presence day and night! But as all things, it takes time and perseverance in prayer and trust in God's love.