Rock of Ages; A meditation

I did not tell you earlier, dear Reader, that I sometimes return to the Holy Bible—for understanding, for comfort, for guidance, and even for its irresistible magnetism. I have long wanted to undertake a personal, close reading of the book, and for my first essay, I have chosen Psalm 92. Why? Let me explain.

Psalm 92 is the only Psalm that, as the Psalmist himself says, is “a song for the Sabbath day”. Because of this, it gains additional significance. It is not situated at the centre of the Psalter; it is not anywhere close to being at the centre of the Bible, but its message is at the very centre of faith, a message that has universal ramifications.

The day of the Sabbath may have changed, but for the believer, verse 8 of Psalm 92, rings out, loud and clear, the pivot of all worship:

“But You, LORD, are on high forevermore.”

Interestingly, and very deliberately, verse 8 itself stands at the very centre of the Psalm. It has 15 verses, with verse 8 in the middle, and verses 1 through 7 mention time, mutability, praise, and human failure to understand God’s truth. Then comes the everlasting, exalted, ever-present image of God. Verses 9 through 15 proclaim permanence, victory and the abiding protection of God for His chosen.

The Psalm follows an ancient poetic practice, that of the “chiasm”. One perfect example of this usage is to be found in Genesis, chapter 9, verse 6. It reads:

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed.”

This is reverse imagery at its very best. Think of TS Eliot’s lines: “… at the still point of the turning world. …” Think also of JFK’s famous words: “Ask not …” and you will begin to get the picture: God is the pivot of everything, the unchanging centre around which all else turns. If you are looking for steadfastness and eternity in this transient, temporal world, you need look no further.

You may not even be a believer, but the sheer symmetry of the Psalm is something to exult over. Verses 1, 2, and 3 are an exhortation to give praise to the “Most High”. As sure as morning gives way to evening, the music of praise flows from the harp, the lute and a ten-stringed instrument. Verses 4 and 5 reiterate the glory of God’s works, and then comes the turnover. Verses 6 and 7 point to the vain glory of the fool and the lack of sense in many men; also to the fleeting triumph of the wicked, who, like grass, will wither and fade away.

More now than ever, has the urgent need to put God at the centre and the core of our lives and our existence, become necessary, for God was, is and always will be “on high forevermore”.

Verses 9 and 10 declare the ultimate victory of good over evil and the vanquishing of the “workers of iniquity”. For the faithful, there is refreshment and rejuvenation, for their faith is likened to the deep-rooted cedar, or the all-weather palm tree. Further, even in “old age” shall the faithful bear fruit, for they will never be abandoned. What greater promise of eternity can there be?

The Lord is righteous and His mercy unbounded. What more does any man need? Therefore, give thanks.

The changes that we witness every day, the ephemeral nature of human life and its fluctuating fortunes, these are contrasted with the permanence of the Almighty, the One and the Only. Hold on to faith, for it will eventually set you free.

Just as God is at the centre of all things, the Sabbath is central to the ebbs and flows of life and time. The Sabbath is the day for worship, for praise, for thanksgiving and for the quiet confidence that God’s work will prevail. Setting aside all else that the world entices us with, we need to strive to honour the Sabbath and keep it holy. Thereby, even in our advanced years we will be strong and supple, for it is the steadfastness and righteousness of the Almighty that will sustain us, leading us from utter darkness into His ineffable light. Amen.

Here is my take on Psalm 92:

O give thanks to the Lord, our God,

And praise Him for His wondrous deeds,

With music let us praise His rod

For all things He nurtures and feeds.

The foolish man has lost his way

And cannot find the route back home,

While sinners find themselves astray

Like withered grass or scattered foam.

But You, o Lord, are found on high,

A presence that will never fade,

Will guide us though others may fly,

A promise kept that has been made.

Our eyes will see our foes vanquished,

Our ears will hear their woeful cry;

But steadfast love and righteousness

Will be our solace till we die.

Why, even in our latter years,

Like palms and cedars we will grow,

To praise our God, to shed no tears,

To reap the harvest that we sow.

It is our joy to sing out loud

Our praises for our God on high,

And look and see the clearing cloud,

And gaze upon eternity.