wordXchange old dublin

the new wordXchange old dublin got underway this past sunday night after the emerge gathering. it was very interesting to settle, the five of us, into a back booth, while ryan read psalm 103 over the low hum of the pub conversations and big screen tv.

Psalm 103

A David Psalm

1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!

3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.

6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.

19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
he rules over us all. He's the King!
So bless God, you angels,
ready and able to fly at his bidding,
quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

one comment was, it's interesting how the psalmist digresses halfway through into a bit of a declaration of our own mortality, and the frailty of our existence, then jumps right back into the effusive praise...

there was a lively discussion about the word "fear" as it often appears in scripture; to "fear" god. it was generally agreed that there is something felt for god which is much beyond either fear or awe, but that those seem to be the two english words. fear is negative in english, while awe is positive or neutral, yet god is bigger than mere human negativity and postivity...

there was an appreciation for the poetic phrases "as far as the sunrise is from the sunset", (in the n.i.v. "as far as east is from west") and "as high as heaven is above the earth"...