Psalm 86 LXX/87 MT; Joshua 2; John 4:14; 7: 37-39; Galatians 4:26-7 My deepest apologies to those who have read an earlier version of this blog, or who have listened to the matching podcast. In a careless moment, I mistook the fourth Psalm for matins (which should be Psalm 87 LXX/88 Hebrew) and took us into anContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 12: Glorious Things are Spoken!”
Category Archives: A Lamp for Today
Matthew’s Matriarchs
A chequered past:That’s what they call it in polite company.In our memories, four portraits last, swaying some to scorn, some to sympathy. First tricksy Tamar, jilted by the “just,”but in the end, through subterfugereceiving seed that would give rise to One who mustalone undo the Fall, the death, the sin-delugethat inundated all. Then Rahab ofContinue reading “Matthew’s Matriarchs”
Light from the Psalter 11: Seeking the LORD
Psalm 62 (LXX), 63 (Hebrew), speaks of David’s longing for God in the wilderness of Judah, and is one of the most perfect psalms upon which to meditate when we are in a dry period. The psalm begins with seeking God, and ends in rejoicing in God. It puts before us the pattern of theContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 11: Seeking the LORD”
Light from the Psalter 10: God’s Wrath and God’s Healing
Psalm 37 LXX/38 Hebrew; Job; Hebrews 12:6; Isaiah 53:7-8 Father Patrick Reardon, in describing Psalm 37 LXX (Hebrew 38), which is chanted during the first part of Sunday Matins, calls it “one of the rougher parts of the Psalter” (Reardon, Christ in the Psalms, 2000, 73). Its main themes, sin and suffering, are not for theContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 10: God’s Wrath and God’s Healing”
Gender: Enlightening our Minds (and Hearts) with the Words of Scripture
The second session of the Light of the World Webinar series, with Edith M. Humphrey and David Bradshaw, is now available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeLEtjEKDsw
No blog this week, sorry!
But join us tonight for the second online symposium hosted by St. Vladimir’s https://www.facebook.com/events/382855114069897/?ref=newsfeed Gender: Enlightening our Minds (and Imaginations) with Scripture David Bradshaw and I hold the fort on this at 7 p.m. Eastern time. See you in two weeks with a blog on the Psalter!
Light from the Psalter 9: Arise, O LORD!
Psalm 3; 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms) 15-18, Psalm 22/23, Isaiah 60:1 We have already briefly touched upon Psalm 3 at the beginning of this series of the Psalms, since some of its verses are joined together with Psalms 1-2 at the beginning of Great Vespers. However, during Matins, the entire Psalm is recited silently by theContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 9: Arise, O LORD!”
Light from the Psalter 8: He asked Life of Thee and Thou Gavest it to Him!
Psalm 20 LXX/21 Hebrew, in the light of Psalm 36/37, as well as 2 Samuel 3. This second “royal” psalm of matins extends many of the themes of Psalm 19 LXX/20 Hebrew. It has two major parts: the first speaks about “the king,” and the second part addresses that same king. The first part speaksContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 8: He asked Life of Thee and Thou Gavest it to Him!”
Light from the Psalter 7: Rescued and Restored by the King
Psalms 19 and 20 (Hebrew text 20 and 21) set the tone for Orthros (Matins) as it is prayed for Sunday and Feast-days. Orthros is, as some know, a very long service when served in its entirety, and took its place as the last of four night-time services, taking place at dawn after an all-nightContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 7: Rescued and Restored by the King”
Light from the Psalter 6: Robed in Majesty!
Psalm 92/3, Isaiah 6, Genesis 3, Isaiah 51:9, cf. Isaiah 27:1, Ezekiel 29:3, Psalm 88/9:10 Having entered into God’s holy presence in Great Vespers, by means of the Lamplight Songs, and the ancient Hymn, O Gladsome Light, we are given a vision of the LORD, robed in majesty. It is as though we are tracingContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 6: Robed in Majesty!”
Edith M. Humphrey 