Easter 2
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
Psalm 150 offers eloquent testimony to the power of repetition. Opening with a call to praise, this psalm hammers the joyful notion that our business in this world is to praise God with everything we can imagine.
There are several good reasons for the repeated use of the command to praise. For one thing, the repeated use of a theme is a particular form of Semitic rhetoric. The ancient Hebrews used repetition as a way of expressing superlatives. Instead of saying, "That man is a good farmer," the ancient Hebrews would find ways to repeat either the man's name or the qualities of his farming skill -- something like, "Old Joe is like two farmers."
The psalmist's repeated use of "praise" in this psalm would immediately be recognized by the audience as a call to a quality of praise: a superlative praise. The psalmist is not encouraging us to praise God simply by saying the word "praise" a bunch of times in succession (which is what it appears he has done), but rather to offer a heartfelt acclaim that is worthy of the one being praised.
There is another significant use of repetition. The repeated use of the word "praise" makes the case, within the context of worship, that acclamation is a viable alternative to any other response. The poem acknowledges no distinctions in the attitudes of the worshipers. The psalmist does not say, "If God has been good to you, praise the Lord. If your crops came in on time or your flocks are multiplying -- praise God for it. If your child survived a dreaded illness, praise God with all your being." There is none of that. The condition of those called to offer praise is not a factor.
It is almost as if the psalmist is anticipating objections and meeting them with the repeated call for praise.
"Praise the Lord," the worship leader says.
"But I just lost my ..." we begin to stammer.
"Praise God in his sanctuary."
"But I...."
"Praise him for his mighty deeds."
"But...."
"Praise him according to his surpassing greatness."
Silence.
"Praise him with trumpet sound."
As the crescendo of praise builds in the service, we are swept up in the emotional whirlwind of gratitude and adoration, and even though our situation in life has not changed, the repeated call to praise has forced us to view our circumstances in a new light. We are drawn by the call to praise into a posture of trust.
Suddenly, without realizing it, we have joined our voices with those around us in singing a heartfelt, "Praise the Lord."
This is not self-hypnosis, nor some attempt to numb our pain through mindless chanting. The repetition of the call to praise is an assault on despair. It is a stubborn, hymn-like effort to subvert darkness and death. It is a relentless assault on hopelessness. We will not give in to our doubts about God; instead we offer praise with everything we can get our hands on.
Praise the Lord!
-- J. E.
There are several good reasons for the repeated use of the command to praise. For one thing, the repeated use of a theme is a particular form of Semitic rhetoric. The ancient Hebrews used repetition as a way of expressing superlatives. Instead of saying, "That man is a good farmer," the ancient Hebrews would find ways to repeat either the man's name or the qualities of his farming skill -- something like, "Old Joe is like two farmers."
The psalmist's repeated use of "praise" in this psalm would immediately be recognized by the audience as a call to a quality of praise: a superlative praise. The psalmist is not encouraging us to praise God simply by saying the word "praise" a bunch of times in succession (which is what it appears he has done), but rather to offer a heartfelt acclaim that is worthy of the one being praised.
There is another significant use of repetition. The repeated use of the word "praise" makes the case, within the context of worship, that acclamation is a viable alternative to any other response. The poem acknowledges no distinctions in the attitudes of the worshipers. The psalmist does not say, "If God has been good to you, praise the Lord. If your crops came in on time or your flocks are multiplying -- praise God for it. If your child survived a dreaded illness, praise God with all your being." There is none of that. The condition of those called to offer praise is not a factor.
It is almost as if the psalmist is anticipating objections and meeting them with the repeated call for praise.
"Praise the Lord," the worship leader says.
"But I just lost my ..." we begin to stammer.
"Praise God in his sanctuary."
"But I...."
"Praise him for his mighty deeds."
"But...."
"Praise him according to his surpassing greatness."
Silence.
"Praise him with trumpet sound."
As the crescendo of praise builds in the service, we are swept up in the emotional whirlwind of gratitude and adoration, and even though our situation in life has not changed, the repeated call to praise has forced us to view our circumstances in a new light. We are drawn by the call to praise into a posture of trust.
Suddenly, without realizing it, we have joined our voices with those around us in singing a heartfelt, "Praise the Lord."
This is not self-hypnosis, nor some attempt to numb our pain through mindless chanting. The repetition of the call to praise is an assault on despair. It is a stubborn, hymn-like effort to subvert darkness and death. It is a relentless assault on hopelessness. We will not give in to our doubts about God; instead we offer praise with everything we can get our hands on.
Praise the Lord!
-- J. E.
