Lent 1
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
(See Advent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
In a study on the Psalms (Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor [Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002]), William P. Brown asserts that while there are many metaphors used in the psalms, two overarching ones are "refuge" and "path." Both are equally important, says Brown, and both are metaphors for Torah. Refuge symbolizes both the home and destiny for the righteous aspects of Torah while path connotes movement and direction, the response to God's Torah, the kind of conduct prescribed by the Torah. Psalm 25 gives us opportunity to talk especially about that path.
The psalmist prays, "Make known to me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth ..." (vv. 4-5a). And again, "He leads the humble ... All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness ..." (vv. 9a, 10a).
The psalmist's "path" is the way of living prescribed by God. Did the first-century Christians have the psalm metaphor in mind when they called Christianity "the way"? (Acts 9:2; 18:25-26).
For sermonic treatment, consider what Psalm 25 tells us about the godly path.
First, it is not necessarily a way that people know intuitively. Why else the petitions: "Make me know" and "teach me" (v. 4)?
Second, it is not a route we walk alone. That's why the psalmist prayed, "Lead me" (v. 5). Note that this is "Lead me," not "Carry me." This is not a maudlin "Footprints in the Sand" story!
Third, it is a path sinners are invited to walk (v. 8), with the understanding that walking the path leads away from sin and toward the good and upright Lord.
Fourth, all the ways of God are characterized as steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep Torah (v. 10).
-- S. P.
In a study on the Psalms (Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor [Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002]), William P. Brown asserts that while there are many metaphors used in the psalms, two overarching ones are "refuge" and "path." Both are equally important, says Brown, and both are metaphors for Torah. Refuge symbolizes both the home and destiny for the righteous aspects of Torah while path connotes movement and direction, the response to God's Torah, the kind of conduct prescribed by the Torah. Psalm 25 gives us opportunity to talk especially about that path.
The psalmist prays, "Make known to me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth ..." (vv. 4-5a). And again, "He leads the humble ... All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness ..." (vv. 9a, 10a).
The psalmist's "path" is the way of living prescribed by God. Did the first-century Christians have the psalm metaphor in mind when they called Christianity "the way"? (Acts 9:2; 18:25-26).
For sermonic treatment, consider what Psalm 25 tells us about the godly path.
First, it is not necessarily a way that people know intuitively. Why else the petitions: "Make me know" and "teach me" (v. 4)?
Second, it is not a route we walk alone. That's why the psalmist prayed, "Lead me" (v. 5). Note that this is "Lead me," not "Carry me." This is not a maudlin "Footprints in the Sand" story!
Third, it is a path sinners are invited to walk (v. 8), with the understanding that walking the path leads away from sin and toward the good and upright Lord.
Fourth, all the ways of God are characterized as steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep Torah (v. 10).
-- S. P.
