Rev. Jean's Bible Study

Hate and anger are strong emotions, dangerous emotions.  I have read that hate is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.  We are injured by our own hatred.  It eats away at us from the inside.  The Psalms are full of such hatred.  Scholars, such as Walter Brueggemann, caution against selectively avoiding these difficult Psalms.  (Although I think in public worship such selectivity has its place.)  The Psalms express the breadth and depth of human emotion.  Expressing our emotions is the first step towards using them well. Another aphorism I came across recently is 'anything that can be mentioned can be managed'.  It is only when we acknowledge and express our anger and hatred, that we can channel the emotional energy that comes from them into positive change. We need to express our rage so that more harm does not befall us or others.  The Psalmist knew that God was capable of hearing and holding our anger and hate. ...

Life does not stay disrupted for ever.  Like water, it seeks a new equilibrium, a new path.  Spending some time during our disruption with those who have been there before us can help us to make our new path a more just and peaceful one.  The Psalms can help us emerge from our crisis with hope in our hearts and joy on our lips. Psalm 96 O sing to the  Lord  a new song; sing to the  Lord , all the earth. 3  Declare his glory among the nations,      his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4  For great is the  Lord , and greatly to be praised;      he is to be revered above all gods. 5  For all the gods of the peoples are idols,      but the  Lord  made the heavens. 6  Honor and majesty are before him;      strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 10  Say among the nations, “The  Lord  is king!    ...