
GOD THE LIFELONG COMPANION - From a life journey perspective,
this is an instructive and inspiring psalm. Lifes stages all belong to God-our
birth, "from my mothers womb" (v. 6), our youth, "from my youth you
have taught me" (v. 17), and from our aging lives, "Do not cast me off in the
time of old age . . . So even to old age, and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me"
(vv. 9, 18). From beginning to the inexorable aging of our lives, the psalmist sees
Gods care and comforting presence as our constant companion.
STRUCTURE - In one sense this is a typical psalm of lament; that is, a cry for help.
But the arrangement is anything but routine. This psalm moves from petition / complaint
(vv. 1-4) to trust / praise (vv. 5-8) which is all very nice and expected. But what is
unexpected is that this psalm repeats this lament form three times. Why? According
to one psalm-scholar the rhetorical effect of repetition is that "the psalm radiates
tremendous assurance." [1]
OCCASION FOR THE PSALM- Possibilities for the occasion of the psalm-the psalmist was
ill (v. 20) or was experiencing the painful process of aging (v. 9, 20) or . . . What is
clear is that the psalm knows that his/her life depends entirely on God. Thats what
the word, "refuge" would have communicated-a strong place, a safe place, an
ageless place on which to build ones life.
Think rock. Not pebbles or stones. But boulder-sized rocks. Go back through your
life and recall those strong rocks that youve been awed by; rocks youve played
on or climbed atop of our envisioned as youve gazed on a mountain range.
Think rock, but this time of figuratively. Think of places / persons of refuge and
strength that made you feel supported and protected. What persons have been a rock to you
as you aged through your youth and career?
Now think of rock and God. How has God been your refuge and strength?
Try playing with the "connections" reflection above. That could offer a
form on which to build a sermon.
You might-in preparation for this homily-hike through a rocky area near your home. Or
go to the library and look at boulders in some of the geology books. Thats what this
psalmist did-just reflected on the rocks that he encountered and then said,
"Thats what God is like!"
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[1] New Interpreters Bible IV (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), page 958.

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