The poet sees pain. Some people grieve the death of loved ones. Many are exhausted from constant labour and endless debt. Some brothers haven’t spoken to each other for years. No matter how they try, some wives can never live up to their husband’s expectations.
So it was in the time of Israel’s King David and so it might be today. Human suffering is part of every generation.
Our poet has watched the powers of nature unleashed. He has also been touched by its gentleness and generosity.
Read Also
Worrisome drop in grain prices
Prices had been softening for most of the previous month, but heading into the Labour Day long weekend, the price drops were startling.
When he hears the wise ones talk about the One God, he notices how they speak with reverence and respect. This God’s powers seem to be akin to nature.
The movement of a gliding raptor catches the psalmist’s eye. He watches a family of eagles playing on the heat thermals. Beyond them, the sky darkens. Lightning snaps. The birds become alert. But before they can pull out of the way, the wings of the smaller one collapse and it plunges downward.
Instantly the parent flies under the youngster, catches it on his outstretched wings and lifts it out of harm’s way.
How like unto God, the poet thinks. Imagery and words flow.
The psalmist of old sang, “God will give his angels charge of you to guard you. On their hands they will bear you up.”
The psalmist of today invites us to sing, “and I will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of my hand.”
Those who trust in the Lord need not fear the terror of the night nor the burden that weighs us down through the day. God is our refuge.
