The psalms were intended to have music from a harp accompany them. The word “psalm” means “A song sung to a harp.” Like the candles of Advent, and the voice of John in the desert, the psalms create a quiet place for us to hear God’s words to us—the gentle plucking of the harp offering a peaceful background for Listening.
The psalm for today has strong words of wisdom that come from knowing that life is passing—that wealth cannot make anyone happy. Verse 4 says something curious. “I will pay close attention to a proverb; I will explain my riddle on the lyre.” (A lyre is a miniature harp.) I wonder if the writer of the psalm wants us
to feel that the plucking of his fingers on a lyre is like the soul plucked by the fingers of God. Some verses are, as we have come to say, “Striking.”
Examples of Bible Breaths Learn More…
In trouble, never fearing v. 5
My gift of life is priceless v. 7
My God ransoming my soul v. 15
In death, carrying nothing v. 17
Check out Study Tools in BibleGateway.
I especially recommend the free resource
in Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
We read the Psalms in numerical order on Wednesdays
These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.
The Bible Through the Seasons 