Scripture Sunday: The Psalms

Waiting for my children has been easier this week. I could say it's because I have been busier than usual (and frankly, busier than sanity usually permits). But actually, I think it is because I have spent more time in the Scriptures than usual.

I have a set of CDs in which prominent African-Americans read the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament recording is better, in my opinion. It was made second, so they corrected some of the less-popular aspects of the first recording. I love the whole thing, though. And I love that when I drive long distances (or even just my daily 30 minute commute), I can listen to the Word instead of whatever happens to be on the radio.

On my 3.5 hour drive from Dallas to Austin on Friday, I listened to the Psalms. I chose that book because my Spring semester class is on Psalms, Ruth, Jonah, Romans, Ephesians, Philippians. (I know that seems random--it covers the books that people who take 2 years of Greek and 2 years of Hebrew translate in their language classes). Anyway, Psalms is the first unit, so I thought I would listen to it so I'd be ahead of the game on my homework.

One thing slammed me between the eyeballs as I was listening to Psalms. David, who wrote the majority of the Psalms, was anointed as king early in his life. He then spent a looooong time running away from people who tried to kill him. He fought; he hid in caves; he showed mercy to his greatest enemy over and over again. This is the man after God's own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) He is pursued, persecuted, and patient. Listening to the Psalms is a sacred lesson in patience. God was training David in those years of flight, fear, and faltering.

And though I long for my children, whoever they may be, God is training me in this time of uncertainty.

He is good. He does good.

And I am trusting in that.

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

--Psalm 13