psalm 53: the power of the Name

Friday, September 01, 2017

We haven’t done a psalm study in quite some time. Let’s turn our attention today to Psalm 53. The filter we are using in our study is “how God cares for us.”

Psalm 53 is a plea to be saved from enemies. It is a psalm of David, who at the time was hiding from Saul who sought to kill him. Dire straits indeed.

O God, save me by your name;

by your power, defend my cause.

O God, hear my prayer;

give ear to the words of my mouth.

Remember that David would be singing these words accompanied by stringed instruments. Never forget that the psalms are meant to be sung. The book of Psalms is the hymn-book of the Israelites. You might try singing them yourself (when you are alone). Any simple melody will do; keep it simple. If you want, simply sing the words to a single note. (That is done in some monasteries, by the way.)

Why sing? Because it involves the whole body. Singing also activates parts of the brain that are not activated by speaking, and brain researchers tell us that singing does the brain a lot of good. But I’m getting off track here. What would you expect from a musician?!

So what cause of yours do you need God to defend? Hopefully, there is no one seeking your life, although these days we are becoming more and more aware of so many innocent people losing their lives due to the violence and hatred in the world and even in our American society. So perhaps your cause might simply be your own safety.

The Psalm concludes this way:

I will sacrifice to you with willing heart,

and praise your name, for it is good:

for it has rescued me from all distress,

and my eyes have gazed upon my foes. (vv 8-9)

Once again, I ask: who are your foes? Perhaps they are people, but more than likely they are interior foes: temptations, addictions, weaknesses of body or character, shortcomings, memories which torment us, things which push our buttons. Perhaps you can think of foes that are more personal to you.

Note also that it is the name that has been the cause of the rescue. The name of God, the name of Jesus, or the names of the saints, or of the Blessed Mother, are all things that strengthen us and heal us and protect us. Repeat them often and be sure not to take the name of Jesus or of Christ in vain.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about using the rosary as a meditative tool, simply repeating the name of Jesus on each bead. I’ve been doing that, and I’ve found it to be very helpful, particularly in times of distress. Repeating the Name helps us calm down, get free of the constant turmoil of that tape recorder that is constantly running in our heads, and helps lead to a beautiful silence that resides beneath the Name we call upon.

Have a nice weekend.

God bless you!