psalm.

Not sure how many still read this... sadly - i do.

This semester at uni, I'm doing a unit focussed around wisdom writings of hebrew scripture - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. It's fun!

Psalms are incredibly interesting, at the moment i'm absorbed with the humanity present in them. My traditional view of psalms as the 'ancient hebrew equivalent of contemporary church worship songs' is being challenged as I get to understand the role of poetry and liturgy in ancient near eastern context - I told you it was fun!

I am admittedly biased toward the laments. I like the idea that Brueggemann suggests, that they are the result of moving from a world of orientation where perhaps one might feel life is quite simple; God is king; I am righteous and God loves me - simple... to a world of disorder, where things are ambiguous; is God distant, or not present; there is pain and confusion resulting in the psalmist being quite paranoid about everyone out to get them or feeling as important as a worm - disoriented!

I like the laments - they're real, it's also nice to know (or at least assume) there are other depressed creative types out there.

To end on a happy note there is another movement from disorienation to the new orientation - which to me, says a lot about hope and the importance disorientation which takes us beyond living in a state of denial.

Hooray for laments! hrmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Watch this!