Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
(See Proper 17/Pentecost 15/Ordinary Time 22, Cycle B, for an alternative approach, emphasizing vv. 1-2 and 6-9.)
Perhaps some worshipers will remember the pomp and circumstance connected with the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981. This event, televised around the world, attracted vast numbers of viewers. Golden vestments, an elegant, one-of-a-kind, designer wedding dress, swords and sashes, multiple choirs, the rumbling organ of Westminster Abbey -- their wedding had it all. There were even choir anthems composed especially for the occasion.
Psalm 45 displays the superscript, "Ode To a Royal Wedding." It is an ancient version of the anthems composed for this singular sort of occasion -- and, from its colorful description, it appears that ancient Israel's royal wedding festivities were every bit as elaborate as a royal wedding today. Verses 1-9 -- not part of the lectionary reading -- provide some of that colorful detail. This king is handsome and full of grace. His elegant sword and sharp arrows are a sign of his eagerness to fight for justice. His throne and his scepter, his rich garments fragrant with the aroma of anointing-oil, the soaring melodies of stringed instruments -- these details bear witness to the joy and gravity of this solemn occasion.
Beside the king stands his queen, attired in garments of equal majesty. The portion of this psalm that is today's lectionary reading is addressed to her. Its goal is to encourage her to bow down and honor the king, showering him with praises and offering herself as the vessel by which he will have many sons. (Feminists will find no comfort here.)
The one who speaks is a royal scribe. Evidently more than a mere recorder of legal documents, this man is a court poet. This is a rare psalm, in that the identity of the author shows briefly through the veil that separates him from the subject-matter. We can sense the scribe's awe and excitement, as he finds himself close enough to the wedding pageantry to witness this notable event.
Where is the sermon in this passage? To those who live in secular democracies, it would appear that this psalm belongs to the "state" side of the famous church-and-state divide. Yet in ancient Israel, there was no such division. Israel was a theocracy, and the king was viewed as God's chief agent on earth. The celebration of a royal wedding was overflowing with theological as well as civic significance.
It would be fruitful to contrast the extravagantly positive language of this psalm with the reality of kingly rule. Even David -- whom all regard as representing at the pinnacle of Israel's monarchy -- acted cruelly at times and fell into very public sin. The advice of Psalm 118:9 is wise, reflecting a more realistic assessment: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."
There is something in us that urges us to seek salvation from rulers of government -- but there is no ultimate salvation to be found there. Psalm 45 is a cautionary tale, for no human king could ever fulfill the hopes and dreams it expresses. Only a future king of Israel will be able to do that: and this king will wear a crown not of gold, but of thorns.
-- C. W.
Perhaps some worshipers will remember the pomp and circumstance connected with the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981. This event, televised around the world, attracted vast numbers of viewers. Golden vestments, an elegant, one-of-a-kind, designer wedding dress, swords and sashes, multiple choirs, the rumbling organ of Westminster Abbey -- their wedding had it all. There were even choir anthems composed especially for the occasion.
Psalm 45 displays the superscript, "Ode To a Royal Wedding." It is an ancient version of the anthems composed for this singular sort of occasion -- and, from its colorful description, it appears that ancient Israel's royal wedding festivities were every bit as elaborate as a royal wedding today. Verses 1-9 -- not part of the lectionary reading -- provide some of that colorful detail. This king is handsome and full of grace. His elegant sword and sharp arrows are a sign of his eagerness to fight for justice. His throne and his scepter, his rich garments fragrant with the aroma of anointing-oil, the soaring melodies of stringed instruments -- these details bear witness to the joy and gravity of this solemn occasion.
Beside the king stands his queen, attired in garments of equal majesty. The portion of this psalm that is today's lectionary reading is addressed to her. Its goal is to encourage her to bow down and honor the king, showering him with praises and offering herself as the vessel by which he will have many sons. (Feminists will find no comfort here.)
The one who speaks is a royal scribe. Evidently more than a mere recorder of legal documents, this man is a court poet. This is a rare psalm, in that the identity of the author shows briefly through the veil that separates him from the subject-matter. We can sense the scribe's awe and excitement, as he finds himself close enough to the wedding pageantry to witness this notable event.
Where is the sermon in this passage? To those who live in secular democracies, it would appear that this psalm belongs to the "state" side of the famous church-and-state divide. Yet in ancient Israel, there was no such division. Israel was a theocracy, and the king was viewed as God's chief agent on earth. The celebration of a royal wedding was overflowing with theological as well as civic significance.
It would be fruitful to contrast the extravagantly positive language of this psalm with the reality of kingly rule. Even David -- whom all regard as representing at the pinnacle of Israel's monarchy -- acted cruelly at times and fell into very public sin. The advice of Psalm 118:9 is wise, reflecting a more realistic assessment: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."
There is something in us that urges us to seek salvation from rulers of government -- but there is no ultimate salvation to be found there. Psalm 45 is a cautionary tale, for no human king could ever fulfill the hopes and dreams it expresses. Only a future king of Israel will be able to do that: and this king will wear a crown not of gold, but of thorns.
-- C. W.
