Chapter 49
Good Monday evening to this new week 49 of 2023
The LORD is my shepherd. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me .I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever (6b)
The hermeneutical lens of Enlightenment has proven rathar ineffective in an certain context, primarily due to its emphasis on textuality rather than orality. Many here, keenly recognize the dislocation that occurs between the text and the context. When individuals engage with the Bible, a profound “dislocation” occurs, and the emphasis shifts away from the inherent meaning of the text to the significance it holds for the readers.
The performative, oral roots of many biblical psalms can be inferred from the dynamic language of the psalmic rhetoric and from ritual literature found throughout the ancient Near East which has greatly expanded our understanding of the possible use and setting. They were chanted, and sung on a regular basis by the early third century c.e. The dramatic rise of monasticism in the fourth century, moreover, gave the Psalms additional attention: ascetics recited and chanted the psalms as daily prayer not only for personal guidance but also for spiritual warfare against demons. Much of the early Christian exegesis was, in fact, aimed at enabling the clergy, particularly monks, to sing and recite the psalms.
Those who recount Palm 23, and of course, some other specific Psalms, by writing, singing, chanting and wearing the words of this Psalm on their bodies take up the identity of ancient Israel who was the first receiver of God’s miracles. and actions. This brings out the possibility of receiving the same action of God in the history of healing, protection, provision and success.
In the words of Nasuti. One of the most important sources of the peculiar power of the Psalms lies in their ability to situate those who used them in a relationship with God because worshippers appropriate the words of the Psalms as if they were those Psalms first-person speakers.
I think Peterson understood as he wrote The Message;
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction. (Verses 1-3)
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life. Verse 6
Wishing you a great start to this new week!
Many greetings from Addis this late evening.
Philemon