Hymnbook
for Pilgrims
Hugo Meynell states, “Novels,
plays and poems convey insights and stimulate reflection, but by an indirect
mode of operation, in which the immediate effect of the words is to evoke
images, memories and feelings.”[1] This is a good
way to describe the reading of literary works. Nonfiction works communicates directly.
In contrast, literary works operate indirectly through images and feelings. The
book of psalms was the hymnbook of the Jews. It was recited and sung in the
temple. Reading the psalms invokes different feelings: joy, sorrow, celebration
and anger. For example, Psalm twenty-three is read frequently at funerals. It
is probably my favorite psalm. I have ready it many times over the years when I
have experienced feeling low. It always encourages me. Psalm twenty-three
portrays God as our shepherd. This brings to the memory the image of human
shepherds and how they care for their sheep. The reader can picture the sheep
lying content in the grass after eating. Another image is the sheep drinking
from still waters. The reader knows that the sheep will not drink from moving
waters. These are two basic needs that everyone has. The psalmist is saying
that we can trust God to take care of our basic needs.
Another human need is guidance. The psalmist says that
the shepherd will guide the sheep by “quiet waters.” In addition, “He leads me
on pathways of justice (78).” This has always been a comfort to me that God
will lead and guide us. As a shepherd leads his sheep in the path to follow; so
will God. The shepherd will also be with the sheep in difficult times. The
psalmist asserts, “Though I walk in the vale of death’s shadow, I fear no harm,
for you are with me (79).” This is very comforting to know that God will be
with us through difficult times. One of the things that many people fear is
death. The psalmist encourages by telling us that we will “dwell in the house
of the Lord for many long days (80).” This psalm tells us that God will be with
us through all our days. We do not need to fear because God is our Shepherd,
and we will not want any good thing. Psalm twenty three like all good
literature provides images that gives us insight about God’s care.
Psalm one is another psalm I have read many times overs
the years. One of the biggest questions of life is how am I going to live my
life? This psalm provides help in this question. We can learn from both good
and bad examples. Literature often provides insight by portraying both good and
bad examples to follow. In Psalm one the psalmist describes the path of the
righteous and the wicked. The psalmist asserts, “Happy the man who has not
walked in the wicked’s counsel, nor in the way of offenders has stood, nor in
the session of the scoffers has sat” (3). This seems to portray a progression
from listening to the counsel of the ungodly to scorning the way of the righteous.
Instead of listening to the advice of the counsel, we are to meditate day and
night on God’s word. This Word will provide direction for our life. As another
Psalm says, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path.” The
psalmist portrays the ultimate result: the righteous will be like a “tree
planted by streams of water, that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf
does not wither” (4). The righteous will prosper all their days. The image of a
tree and fruitfulness indicate the attractiveness of this way of life. The
wicked, instead, are like “chaff that the wind drives away” (4). A tree is
rooted and stable; chaff, however, is unstable and is blown here and there.
Psalm seventy three is another psalm that has impacted my
life. Nonfiction works tells us what is the truth; literature, in contrast,
shows us the truth. This psalms helps us experience the experience of someone
who questions justice in this world. He explains that his “feet had almost
strayed” because he envied the wicked (252). The reason he did is because they
prospered and the godly suffered. The wicked were arrogant and spoke against
God, but they did not seem to suffer. This is a concern of many people: why do
the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer? One can think of Job and the
tragedies he experienced. The psalmist even thought, “But in vain I have kept
my heart pure” (254). How many young people who live good, moral lives and are
not popular and are sometimes derided or scorned? They often question if it is
worth the effort to live moral lives. The psalmist states that it was not until
he entered the sanctuary did he see the truth. God had put the wicked “on
slippery ground, brought them down to destruction” (255). He saw things from
God’s perspective and that justice will be served in the end. This psalm
teaches us that we can trust God. It teaches us that we serve a just God and
the wicked will reap what they sow. This psalm promises that God will guide us
with His counsel and lead us to glory. It portrays God as a rock that we can
depend on.
I could have written about many other psalms that have
made an impact on my life. We can see that the book of psalms operate in the
reader as good literature. It connects with us in all our different feelings:
joy, sadness, anger, and others. It provides insight and perspective about
living our lives as pilgrims in this world. In addition, it speaks indirectly
to us through images, symbolism, and metaphors. Finally, it can be recited or
sung. It is the hymn book for Christian [1] [2] pilgrims.
[1]Hugo A. Maynell, An Introduction to the Philosophy of Bernard
Lonergan (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1991), 97.
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