Psalm 33:1-12
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
"Praise befits the upright." This sounds right. It rolls off the tongue easily. Whether it's a "right and goodly thing to give thanks," or an improvised prayer of praise, we assume that praise is something that "upright" folks do on a regular basis.
The question that begs asking, however, is who exactly are the "upright"? More than two decades in parish ministry have shown this humble writer that the truly upright are rare creatures indeed. Are the "upright" self-identified? Does the usher at church know which ones are which? Do they wear T-shirts emblazoned with the words, "I'm Upright" on the front? And what does one have to do to become upright? Most folks hearing the word would identify the upright as the good folks who play by the rules. And as was just mentioned, these folks are rare. Most of us can claim our goodness in fits and spurts along life's highway and many of us bend or skirt rules from time to time; if not downright often!
Still it must be said, whoever and wherever they are, praise befits them. The Hebrew word that is translated as "upright" is yashar. The literal meaning of the word is indeed "upright." But there's another possibility that has to do with yashar referring to those who "stand up."
This presents us with an interesting twist in understanding. Rather than upright folks being the ones who follow the rules, what if they were the ones who actually stood up to be counted? This may well be someone who follows Torah. But it also would describe someone who stands up for Yahweh. By extension, these same upright people would stand up for the orphans and the widows, the poor and the marginalized. Upright people would stand up and speak out when the truth needed telling. Upright people would stand up for Jesus.
It brings to mind the old hymn, "Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus!" One of the verses goes like this.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus; stand in his strength alone.
The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer.
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
With its stirring melody and these lyrics, this is a wonderful song of praise and commitment to taking a stand. Indeed, praise does befit the "upright."
The question that begs asking, however, is who exactly are the "upright"? More than two decades in parish ministry have shown this humble writer that the truly upright are rare creatures indeed. Are the "upright" self-identified? Does the usher at church know which ones are which? Do they wear T-shirts emblazoned with the words, "I'm Upright" on the front? And what does one have to do to become upright? Most folks hearing the word would identify the upright as the good folks who play by the rules. And as was just mentioned, these folks are rare. Most of us can claim our goodness in fits and spurts along life's highway and many of us bend or skirt rules from time to time; if not downright often!
Still it must be said, whoever and wherever they are, praise befits them. The Hebrew word that is translated as "upright" is yashar. The literal meaning of the word is indeed "upright." But there's another possibility that has to do with yashar referring to those who "stand up."
This presents us with an interesting twist in understanding. Rather than upright folks being the ones who follow the rules, what if they were the ones who actually stood up to be counted? This may well be someone who follows Torah. But it also would describe someone who stands up for Yahweh. By extension, these same upright people would stand up for the orphans and the widows, the poor and the marginalized. Upright people would stand up and speak out when the truth needed telling. Upright people would stand up for Jesus.
It brings to mind the old hymn, "Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus!" One of the verses goes like this.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus; stand in his strength alone.
The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer.
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
With its stirring melody and these lyrics, this is a wonderful song of praise and commitment to taking a stand. Indeed, praise does befit the "upright."
