Psalms
of New Orientation
New Orientation--Introduction
• Liturgical Sequence
– Complaint—Confession of Sins
– Salvation Oracle—Assurance of Pardon
– Praise—"Gloria"
• OT—Trouble & Church—Sin
• How long does the "New Orientation" last?
Psalms of New Orientation--Introduction
• Is it meaningful or meaningless?
– It is meaningful when we are ready!
• "The offer of New Orientation is always
liturgically available, but our readiness is
inscrutable."
Psalms of New orientation--Introduction
• The promise of new orientation is not "a
private deal between me and Jesus," but
a "big cosmic phenomenon."
• New Orientation and World Superpowers
• The mode of new orientation is doxology,
dancing and singing . . .
• The threats of chaos and death are not
ultimate.
1
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is Psalm 107
good; for his steadfast love endures
forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the
Some were
LORD say so, those he redeemed
lost in
from trouble 3 and gathered in from
the lands, from the east and from the wilderness
west, from the north and from the
south. 4 Some wandered in desert
wastes, finding no way to an inhabited
town; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul
fainted within them. 6 Then they cried
to the LORD in their trouble, and he
delivered them from their distress; 7 he
led them by a straight way, until they
reached an inhabited town. 8 Let them
thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty, and the
hungry he fills with good things.
10
Some sat in darkness and in gloom, Psalm 107
prisoners in misery and in irons, 11 for
they had rebelled against the words of
God, and spurned the counsel of the Some were in
Most High. 12 Their hearts were bowed prison
down with hard labor; they fell down,
with no one to help. 13 Then they cried
to the LORD in their trouble, and he
saved them from their distress; 14 he
brought them out of darkness and
gloom, and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his
steadfast love, for his wonderful
works to humankind. 16 For he
shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts
in two the bars of iron.
17
Some were sick through their sinful
ways, and because of their iniquities Psalm 107
endured affliction; 18 they loathed any
kind of food, and they drew near to the Some were
sick
gates of death. 19 Then they cried to
the LORD in their trouble, and he
saved them from their distress; 20 he
sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction.
21 Let them thank the LORD for his
steadfast love, for his wonderful works
to humankind. 22 And let them offer
thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his
deeds with songs of joy.
23
Some went down to the sea in ships, Psalm 107
doing business on the mighty waters; 24
they saw the deeds of the LORD, his
Some on
wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he
commanded and raised the stormy wind, the sea
which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26
They mounted up to heaven, they went
down to the depths; their courage melted
away in their calamity; 27 they reeled and
staggered like drunkards, and were at
their wits' end. 28 Then they cried to the
LORD in their trouble, and he brought
them out from their distress; 29 he made
the storm be still, and the waves of the
sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad
because they had quiet, and he brought
them to their desired haven. 31 Let them
thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for
his wonderful works to humankind.
1
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is Psalm 107
good; for his steadfast love endures
forever.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his
steadfast love, for his wonderful works to
humankind.
Steadfast
15 Let them thank the LORD for his
Love!—
steadfast love, for his wonderful works to chesed ‫חֶ סֶ ד‬
humankind.
•Key to New
21 Let them thank the LORD for his
steadfast love, for his wonderful works to Orientation?
humankind.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his
steadfast love, for his wonderful works to
humankind.
43 Let those who are wise give heed to
these things, and consider the steadfast
love of the LORD.
1
I will exalt you, O LORD, for you
lifted me out of the depths and
did not let my enemies gloat
over me. 2 O LORD my God, I
called to you for help and you
healed me. 3 O LORD, you
brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down
into the pit. 4 Sing to the LORD,
you saints of his; praise his holy
name. 5 For his anger lasts only
a moment, but his favor lasts a
lifetime; weeping may remain for
a night, but rejoicing comes in
the morning.
Psalm 30
Expression of
Praise
The
psalmist's cry
The trouble &
the LORD's
response
Exhortation to
praise
6
When I felt secure, I said, "I will never
be shaken." 7 O LORD, when you
favored me, you made my mountain
stand firm; but when you hid your
face, I was dismayed. 8 To you, O
LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for
mercy: 9 "What gain is there in my
destruction, in my going down into
the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will
it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear,
O LORD, and be merciful to me; O
LORD, be my help." 11 You turned
my wailing into dancing; you
removed my sackcloth and clothed
me with joy, 12 that my heart may
sing to you and not be silent. O
LORD my God, I will give you thanks
forever.
Psalm 30
The
psalmist's cry
The trouble &
the LORD's
response
Commitment
to give thanks
‫‪Psalm 34:1-12—an acrostic‬‬
‫אֲ בָ ֲֲ כָ ֣ו ‪ 2‬לְ ָדוִ ִ֗ד בְ ַׁשּנ ֹות֣ ֹו אֶ ת־טַׁ ַ֭עְ מ ֹו לִ ְפנ֣י אֲ בִ ימֶ ֶ֑לְֶך ַׁ ַֽ֜ו ְיֲֲָָ שִ֗ו ּ וֵַּׁ ַׁלְך׃‪.‬‬
‫‪ 3‬אֶ ת־יְו ָו֣ו בְ כָ ל־עֶ֑ת ָָּ֜ ִַֽ֜מִ֗יד ְָּ֜ ִו ָָּתו ֹו בְ ִפי׃‬
‫‪ 4‬בַׁ ַ֭יווָו ִָּ֜ ְתוַׁ ָּ֣ל נ ְַׁפ ִשֶ֑י י ְִש ְמע֖ ּ ֲענָוִ ֣ים וְ י ְִשמָ ח ּ׃‬
‫‪ 5‬גַׁ ְדל֣ ּ לַׁיו ָו֣ו ִא ִֶָּ֑֜י‬
‫ל־מַָֽ֜ ֲּוֹתַׁ ִ֗י ּנְֲו ְֹממָ ֖ו ְשמ֣ ֹו י ְַׁח ָדו׃‬
‫ ּמכָ ְ‬
‫‪ָ 6‬ד ֲַׁ ְ֣ש ִָּ֜י אֶ ת־יְו ָו֣ו וְ עָ ָ ֶ֑ננִי ִ‬
1
I will extol the LORD at all times; his
Psalm
34
praise will always be on my lips. 2
My soul will boast in the LORD; let
Expression of
the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3
thanks.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us
exalt his name together. 4 I sought
the LORD, and he answered me;
The trouble &
5
he delivered me from all my fears.
the LORD's
Those who look to him are radiant;
response
their faces are never covered with
shame. 6 This poor man called, and
the LORD heard him; he saved him
Exhortation to
7
out of all his troubles. The angel of give thanks
the LORD encamps around those
who fear him, and he delivers them.
Statements of
8 Taste and see that the LORD is
good; blessed is the man who takes Trust
refuge in him.
1
If the LORD had not been on our
Psalm
124
side--let Israel say--2 if the LORD
had not been on our side when men
Expression of
attacked us, 3 when their anger
thanks.
flared against us, they would have
swallowed us alive; 4 the flood
would have engulfed us, the torrent
The trouble &
5
would have swept over us, the
the LORD's
raging waters would have swept us
away. 6 Praise be to the LORD, who response
has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird out of
Exhortation to
the fowler's snare; the snare has
give thanks
been broken, and we have
escaped. 8 Our help is in the name
Four
of the LORD, the Maker of heaven
metaphorical
and earth.
images
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His steadfast love endures forever.
Call to Praise
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
•Reasons for
4 to him who alone does great wonders, praise
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
7 who made the great lights-8 the sun to govern the day,
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
Psalm 136
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
11 and brought Israel out from among them
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
16 to him who led his people through the desert,
17 who struck down great kings,
18 and killed mighty kings-19 Sihon king of the Amorites
20 and Og king of Bashan-21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel;
Psalm 136
23 to the One who remembered us in our low
estate
24 and freed us from our enemies,
25 and who gives food to every creature.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
Concluding
Call to Praise
Forever
By Chris Tomlin and Jesse Reeves, © 2001
worshiptogether.com/Six Steps Music CCLI License 1584880
Give thanks to the Lord
our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good,
He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise …
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise …
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
From the rising to
the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God
we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise …
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
“Enthronement Psalms”
• Sigmund Mowinckel—1922-1924
– Annual New Year's Festival in ancient
Jerusalem
1Ascribe
to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to
the LORD glory and strength. 2Ascribe to the LORD
the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy
splendor. 3The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty
waters. 4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice
of the LORD is full of majesty. 5The voice of the LORD
breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of
Lebanon. 6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and
Sirion like a young wild ox. 7The voice of the LORD
flashes forth flames of fire. 8The voice of the LORD
shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the
wilderness of Kadesh. 9The voice of the LORD causes
the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his
temple all say, "Glory!"
Psalm 29
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the
flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king
forever. 11 May the LORD give
strength to his people! May the LORD
bless his people with peace!
Psalm 29
Purpose of liturgy:
Re-perform Creation:
Chaos is overcome by establishing again the
creator God as the one who will rule.
"Angels We Have Heard on High"—
•Angels tell the shepherds to go see the new king.
•Christmas is an Enthronement Festival--new!
Easter and Pentecost are also Enthronement Festivals
9
Psalm 96
Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before
him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, "The
LORD is (has become?) king! The world is firmly
established; it shall never be moved. He will judge
the peoples with equity."
Psalm 29
1Ascribe
to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;
worship the LORD in holy splendor.
Exhortation or
Call to Praise
God's
Attributes
3The
voice of the LORD is over the
waters; the God of glory
thunders, the LORD, over mighty
waters. 4The voice of the LORD
is powerful; the voice of the
LORD is full of majesty. 5The
voice of the LORD breaks the
cedars; the LORD breaks the
cedars of Lebanon. 6He makes
Lebanon skip like a calf, and
Sirion like a young wild ox. 7The
voice of the LORD flashes forth
flames of fire. 8The voice of the
LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness
of Kadesh. 9The voice of the
LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare; and in
his temple all say, "Glory!"
Psalm 29
God's
Attributes
God's Actions
Method of
Praise—
•Proaction or
Reaction?
10 The LORD sits enthroned over
the flood; the LORD sits
enthroned as king forever. 11
May the LORD give strength to
his people! May the LORD bless
his people with peace!
Psalm 29
God's Attributes
Plea to God
Power over creation &
chaos.
Cosmology
Burnette-Bletsch, Rhonda. Studying the Old Testament: A Companion
1
Psalm 96
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing
to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to
Exhortation or
the LORD, bless his name; tell of his Call to Praise
salvation from day to day. 3 Declare •To or about
his glory among the nations, his
God?
marvelous works among all the
God's
peoples. 4 For great is the LORD,
and greatly to be praised; he is to be Attributes
revered above all gods. 5 For all the
God's Actions
gods of the peoples are idols, but
the LORD made the heavens. 6
Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his
sanctuary.
7
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the
peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and
strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the
glory due his name; bring an offering,
and come into his courts. 9 Worship
the LORD in holy splendor; tremble
before him, all the earth. 10 Say among
the nations, "The LORD is king! The
world is firmly established; it shall
never be moved. He will judge the
peoples with equity." 11 Let the
heavens be glad, and let the earth
rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills
it; 12 let the field exult, and everything
in it. Then shall all the trees of the
forest sing for joy 13 before the LORD;
for he is coming, for he is coming to
judge the earth. He will judge the world
with righteousness, and the peoples
with his truth.
Psalm 96
Exhortation or
Call to Praise
Audience &
Participants?
•Mowinckel:
"The LORD has
become king."
•Righteous king
He will re-order
the earth!
Most Worthy to Be Praised
Chuck Pitts 1997
O worship the Lord & sing a new song.
Sing to the Lord all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise the name;
For great is the Lord.
He is worthy, worthy,
Most worthy to be praised.
Proclaim his salvation day after day,
Declare his glory to the nations.
Declare his works to all people,
For great is the Lord.
He is worthy, worthy,
Most worthy to be praised.
Worship the Lord
in the splendor of His holiness,
Tremble before Him,
For He is to be feared.
He is worthy, worthy,
Most worthy to be praised.
1
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout
to God with cries of joy. 2 How
awesome is the LORD Most High, the
great King over all the earth! 3 He
subdued nations under us, peoples
under our feet. 4 He chose our
inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob,
whom he loved. Selah 5 God has
ascended amid shouts of joy, the
LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise. 8 God
reigns over the nations; God is seated
on his holy throne. 9 The nobles of the
nations assemble as the people of the
God of Abraham, for the kings of the
earth belong to God; he is greatly
exalted.
Psalm 47
Exhortation or
Call to Praise
God's Actions
God's
Attributes
Methods of
Praise
Psalm 103
1
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his
holy name. 2 Praise the LORD,
O my soul, and forget not all
his benefits--3 who forgives all
your sins and heals all your
diseases, 4 who redeems your
life from the pit and crowns
you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires
with good things so that your
youth is renewed like the
eagle's. 6 The LORD works
righteousness and justice for
all the oppressed.
Call to praise
The invitees
Reason for
Praise
8
Psalm 103
The LORD is compassionate and
gracious, slow to anger, abounding in
love (=chesed). 9 He will not always
accuse, nor will he harbor his anger
forever; 10 he does not treat us as our
Reason
sins deserve or repay us according to
our iniquities. 11 For as high as the
for
heavens are above the earth, so great
Praise
is his love (=chesed) for those who
fear him; 12 as far as the east is from
the west, so far has he removed our
transgressions from us. 13 As a father
has compassion on his children, so
the LORD has compassion on those
who fear him; 14 for he knows how we
are formed, he remembers that we are
dust.
Psalm 103
15
As for man, his days are like
grass, he flourishes like a
flower of the field; 16 the wind
blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no
more. 17 But from everlasting
to everlasting the LORD's love
(=chesed) is with those who
fear him, and his
righteousness with their
children's children--18 with
those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his
precepts.
Recipients of
the LORD's
grace.
Reason for
Praise
Psalm 103
20
Praise the LORD, you his
angels, you mighty ones
who do his bidding, who
obey his word. 21 Praise
the LORD, all his heavenly
hosts, you his servants
who do his will. 22 Praise
the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his
dominion. Praise the
LORD, O my soul.
Call to praise
The invitees
10,000 Reasons
Matt Redman ©2011
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and
whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
You're rich in love and
You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Psalm 148
Hallelujah. Praise the LORD from
the heavens; praise Him on high.
2 Praise Him, all His angels, praise
Him, all His hosts. 3 Praise Him,
sun and moon, praise Him, all
bright stars. 4 Praise Him, highest
heavens, and you waters that are
above the heavens. 5 Let them
praise the name of the LORD, for it
was He who commanded that they
be created. 6 He made them
endure forever, establishing an
order that shall never change.
Call to
praise
Invitees
Reason
for Praise
7
Praise the LORD, O you who are on Psalm 148
earth, all sea monsters and ocean
depths, 8 fire and hail, snow and smoke,
storm wind that executes His command, Call to
9 all mountains and hills, all fruit trees
praise
and cedars, 10 all wild and tamed
beasts, creeping things and winged
birds, 11 all kings and peoples of the
Invitees
earth, all princes of the earth and its
judges, 12 youths and maidens alike, old
Reason
and young together. 13 Let them praise
the name of the LORD, for His name,
for
Praise
His alone, is sublime; His splendor
covers heaven and earth. 14 He has
exalted the horn of His people for the
glory of all His faithful ones, Israel, the
people close to Him. Hallelujah.
1
Praise the LORD. Praise God in
Psalm 150
his sanctuary; praise him in his
mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for
Call to
his acts of power; praise him for
praise
his surpassing greatness. 3
Praise him with the sounding of
the trumpet, praise him with the
The
invitees
4
harp and lyre, praise him with
tambourine and dancing, praise
Reason for
him with the strings and flute, 5
praise him with the clash of
Praise
cymbals, praise him with
resounding cymbals. 6 Let
Method of praise
everything that has breath
praise the LORD. Praise the
LORD
Place of Praise
1The
LORD is my shepherd, I shall
not want. 2 He makes me lie
down in green pastures; he leads
me beside still waters; 3 he
restores my soul. He leads me in
right paths for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the
darkest valley, I fear no evil; for
you are with me; your rod and
your staff-they comfort me. 5 You
prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies; you
anoint my head with oil; my cup
overflows. 6 Surely goodness
and mercy (=steadfast love) shall
follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of
the LORD my whole life long.
Psalm 23
Boundaries:
the name
I-thou: Personal
intimacy
Reality of
trouble
God's Work—
removing fear
•house=presence
chesed
• "Commitment implies pledging oneself to
someone when one has no prior obligation to
do so, or keeping such a pledge of commitment
no matter what happens—as when the other
person does not keep the pledge and thus
forfeits any right to such commitment. … God’s
commitment is thus a basis for prayer, trust,
and hope in crises, and a topic to talk about
(6:4[5]; 13:5[6]; 17:7; 23:6; 40:10 [11]). The
human response to God’s goodness to us is to
be chasid in relation to God. … A chasid is
someone who keeps commitment and lives
faithfully, against the odds, if necessary. It is the
opposite of behaving falsely" (Goldingay, 592).
Psalm 23: Final Considerations
• "An American
Secular Icon" (Wm.
Holladay, Psalms
Through 3000 Years,
359-371)
Psalm 23: Final Considerations
• Kanye West
"Jesus Walks"
Psalm 23: Final Considerations
• Coolio
"Gangsta's
Paradise"
Psalm 23: Final Considerations
• "Pale Rider"
Psalm 23: Final Considerations
• Funerals: life or death?
–McCann (767): The psalm is "a psalm
about living, for it puts daily activities,
such as eating, drinking, and seeking
security, in a radically God-centered
perspective that challenges our usual
way of thinking."
1The
LORD is my light and my
salvation-- whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of
my life--of whom shall I be
afraid? 2 When evil men advance
against me to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes
attack me, they will stumble and
fall. 3 Though an army besiege
me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against
me, even then will I be
confident. 4 One thing I ask of
the LORD, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of
the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the
LORD and to seek him in his
temple.
Psalm 27
Boundaries:
the name
I-thou: Personal
intimacy
Reality of
trouble
God's Work—
removing fear
•house=presence
Psalm 27
in the day of trouble he will
keep me safe in his dwelling; he
Boundaries:
will hide me in the shelter of his
tabernacle and set me high upon
the name
a rock. 6 Then my head will be
exalted above the enemies who
I-thou: Personal
surround me; at his tabernacle
will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; intimacy
I will sing and make music to the
LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I
Reality of
call, O LORD; be merciful to me
trouble
8
and answer me. My heart says
of you, "Seek his face!" Your
face, LORD, I will seek.
God's Work—
removing fear
Plea to God
•house=presence
5For
9Do
not hide your face from me, do
not turn your servant away in
anger; you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior. 10 Though my
father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me. 11
Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors. 12 Do
not turn me over to the desire of
my foes, for false witnesses rise
up against me, breathing out
violence. 13 I am still confident of
this: I will see the goodness of
the LORD in the land of the
living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be
strong and take heart and wait
for the LORD.
Psalm 27
Foundation:
the name
I-thou: Personal
intimacy
Reality of
trouble
•Plea to God
•Word to the
psalmist
Conclusions—Brueggemann
• Spirituality and Theodicy
– Theodicy is a religious crisis about the
character of God (p. 172).
– Theodicy is a social crisis that doubts the
social settlement of goods and power and
assaults the legitimation of that settlement.
– Theodicy is revolutionary action that seeks to
displace the rules of the game.
Conclusions—Brueggemann
• Theodicy can be handled in two ways.
– In some texts, "God, along with the system,
seems to be rejected" (173).
– In others, "more often, appeal is made to
God, against the system" (Ibid.).
Conclusions—Brueggemann
• Three strategies (174):
– A yearning for retaliation
– Assaults on Yahweh
– A yearning for return to orientation and an
acceptance of fault
Conclusions—Brueggemann
• We dare not be positivists about our
spirituality ...
– ... as though we live in a world in which all
issues are settled (176).
• "The spirituality of the Psalms assumes
that the world is called to question in this
conversation with God. That permits and
requires that our conversation with God be
vigorous, candid, and daring" (176).
Conclusions—Brueggemann
• God assumes different roles in our
conversations:
– The guarantor of the old equilibrium
– a harbinger of the new justice to be
established
– present in the disorientation, "being sovereign
in ways that do not strike us as adequate"
(176).