Riding Tide

a t i t h e o f p s a l m sSIMON WARD

the

River Publishing & Media LtdBarham CourtTeston Maidstone KentME18 5BZUnited Kingdom

info@river-publishing.co.uk

Copyright © Simon Ward 2013

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Short extracts may be used for review purposes.

Scripture quotations from NIV except where mentioned.

ISBN 978-1-908393-32-6Printed in the United KingdomPhotos – most taken by the author on a Canon IXUS 220 HS

My thanks to Richard Walker, Dave McKee and Richard Higginson for wading through the text and giving invaluable feedback; to Deborah Paul for helping with photographs; to Chrissie Abbott, Bianca Harris, Christine and Shane Nearman for their ongoing encouragement; and to my wife Gill, who patiently and lovingly lives out all this stuff with me.

Simon WardJuly 2013

c o n t e n t sCycle 1 – The Big Picture Psalm 1 Delight in the law of the Lord Your truth never goes out of fashion Dogma or conversation? Trees

Psalm 8 From the lips of children Thanksgiving, praise and worship

Psalm 19 More precious than gold Start the day with God

Psalm 23 Fear no evil Lunchtime office

Psalm 27 Wait, Worship, Win Spiritual warfare

Cycle 2 – Close Encounters Psalm 42 Downcast praise Journey to the waterfall Oh dear day

Psalm 46 Be still

Psalm 51 Whiter than snow Sin and restoration

Psalm 73 Surely Psalm 121 Anxious times

Cycle 3 – Celebrate Psalm 67 Bless God, I worship

Psalm 96 Declare His glory

Psalm 136 Forever love Thank you Pain at remembrance

Psalm 146 As long as I live

Psalm 150 Everything

Does anyone need another dissection of the Psalms? Surely enough has already been written. Quite probably, but these reflections are a personal response to a stimulating day spent on Holy Island at Eastertime 2012, which triggered the realisation that I was entering the last decade of my formal working life, and longed to better integrate my Christian faith and the daily round of activity … whilst there was still time to do something about it.

After three decades working in the creative industries, trying to balance the organised side of who I am (business administrator) with the creative (singer, occasional writer of stuff and worship leader), it seemed right to reflect this by bringing together a variety of disciplines.

As a result, this look at fifteen of the 150 Psalms (10%, thus “Tithe”) includes reflections, poems, photos, and each Psalm set to music in a variety of styles (although the music is not included on these pages).

To my surprise, I achieved my somewhat ambitious target of writing the 15 reflections - they were first shared with the HTB Fashion Group on Facebook - setting them to music and memorising

them, in 3 months. It was hugely enjoyable, not a task. As I’ve then put it all together, a whole pile of other stuff has tumbled in; “prayers through the day” to each Psalm, poems, in depth thoughts on particular Psalms. I hope these will stimulate thought, prayer and, who knows, even action.

The 15 Psalms are grouped into 3 “cycles”, paying “tribute” to the fact that much of the music and reflection was dreamed up on my daily trip into work cycling up the A24 through Balham! The first cycle I’ve entitled “The Big Picture”, as the themes span across all of life – God as Creator. Cycle 2, “Intimate Encounters” explores our relationship with God as “lover of our souls”. Cycle 3, “Celebrate”, focusses on worship of God as Saviour and Lord.

The title reflects the fact that life, like the Psalms, seems to ebb and flow between great and dreadful, beautiful and ugly. The reflections and prayers seek to speak into this ever changing experience. I do hope that you find them an encouragement as you negotiate life’s twisting path.

Simon Ward, Spring 2013

i n t r o d u c t i o n

O h h o w I l o v e Yo u r l a w !I m e d i t a t e o n i t a l l d a y l o n g

This first cycle of Psalms seeks to give a feel for some of the big issues

that the Bible presents, from the majesty of Creation, mankind’s role

in overseeing it, a clearly etched distinction between good and evil, the

centrality of God’s Word, His protection in times of trouble, the apparently

upside down values of His Kingdom, and a recognition of the spiritual battle

that rages around us. And the Psalms do this in a distinctly personal way

that entwines these issues with our everyday lives.

c y c l e 1the BIG

picture

Holy Island in North East England is an inspiring place, not least for its his-tory. Did you know that, back in the old days, the monks there used to recite the Psalms to each other (they memorised all 150 of them) as they walked from place to place ministering? This sent me back to the Psalms to have a fresh look at how practically relevant they are to our lives today. And I’ve not been dis-appointed. Psalm 1 goes straight to the heart of the matter – the importance of immersing ourselves in the Word if we are to walk in God’s way for our life. A crystal clear distinction is drawn between the righteous and the wicked. Between those whose lives are like trees firmly rooted by streams of water that bear fruit and don’t wither when times get hard ... and dry chaff that is swept away as soon as a wind blows up. No prizes for guessing which is which!

And it is never too late to do something about it. You can’t be so dry that, by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, you cannot be changed (somewhat against the laws of nature!) from chaff to tree. Conversely, trees die off and can become as useless as chaff if they fail to draw sustenance from the River. It’s our choice where we let our roots grow.

And this brings me back to those monks, who daily immersed themselves in scrip-ture as they encouraged each other and equipped themselves to be God’s hands and feet. They are a wonderful model, regardless of the centuries that sepa-rate us, so let’s be those who encour-age each other to drink deeply of God’s Word, and witness how it changes our daily walk and empowers our engage-ment with God’s world.

p s a l m 1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

d e l i g h t i n t h e l a wo f t h e L o r d

w a l k a c c o r d i n g t o t h e l a w o f t h e L o r d a n d y o u w i l l b e a r f r u i t a n d s t a y s t r o n g f o r t h e L o r d w i l l w a t c h o v e r y o u

d e l i g h t i n t h e l a wo f t h e L o r d

Your truth never goes out of fashion

Blessed are they whose ways are blamelesswho walk according to the law of the LordBlessed are they who keep His statutesAnd seek Him with all their hearts.

Your truth never goes out of fashionIt stays, as permanent as the heavens.Your truth never goes out of fashionI can always walk with my head up high.

My soul faints with longing for your salvationBut I have put my hope in your wordMy eyes fail, looking for our promiseI say “When will you comfort me?”

Keep me from deceitful waysBe gracious to me through Your lawI have chosen the way of truthI have set my heart on Your lawsI hold fast to Your statutes, O LordDo not let me be put to shameI run in the path of Your commandsFor You have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:1-2; 29-32; 81-82 [NIV]; 89, 90 [MSG]

A.M. Father God … good morning. Thank you for looking after me through the watches of the night. Please strengthen my body, calm my feelings, clear my mind and bring alive my spirit as I start a new day. As I read your word draw me to what you have to say to me and grant me boldness to live for You, and You only, as I go out to face the challenges and opportunities the day holds in store.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give me today my daily bread. Forgive me my sins as I forgive those who sin against me, and lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, now and forever, Amen

P.M. Lord Jesus, I’m feeling inadequate today, struggling to hold onto the truth of your word. All those around me don’t seem to have the worries I do. When things don’t go well, they are quite happy to blame everyone else. I am tempted to join in, but am desperately trying not to. It drains my flagging energy and gets me down.

Yet Lord, I trust that You will indeed bear fruit from my labours. Please sustain me through the remainder of the day and bring alive the promise of your word to prosper whatever I do. Open my eyes to see Your hand at work and bring me home rejoicing at your faithfulness. For your name’s sake. Amen.

t h r o u g h t h e d a y w i t h p s a l m 1

EVE. Holy Spirit, as the day draws to a close, remind me afresh of the words I read this morning. Open my eyes to what You have been doing through me. Remind me of the Father’s promises and how they have held true. Thrill me once more with the majesty of my Lord Jesus.

I pray for those I have come across today who do not know Your love and power. Meet with them and transform their lives. Fill me once more with Your powerful pres-ence so that, daily, I might become more like Jesus. For that is my desire.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, refresh and restore me. Watch over me and all those who are dear to me this night. Amen.

I love the Bible and I believe it’s the key to living life as God planned it. But we do need to consider carefully how we use it in our approach to those unfamiliar with it and who don’t yet have a Christian faith. Let me explain.

Psalm 1 is terrific - a real inspiration to countless Christians down the centuries. “Blessed are those … they will be like trees planted by streams of water …” The statue in the Courtyard at Somerset House, where I work, has these verses on its base.

But if you are amongst the wicked - ! - Psalm 1 doesn’t pan out quite so well and would be a threat and even an affront to you.

So, do we parrot out stuff that’s well meant but, with all its talk of the wicked perishing (presumably in a lake of fire), is likely to alienate a new generation from God’s amazing grace? Or do we pause to reconsider? It could be a life or death decision – for someone else.

God sent His Son not to condemn but to save. So how do I respond to those who would turn a special day of rest into just another round of frantic activity? What should we say to those who would redefine the God given institution of marriage? Can we agree with anti-Semitists who state that the Jews had their chance, but blew it?

Do I accept an approach that has been handed down from the previous generation? Is sound doctrine enough? Or do I need to re-imagine myself into the footprints of my Creator as He progresses through time with His Creation? Am I prepared to be shown a different way?

But what will we tell? Thou shall not do this or that? Jesus called us to love with all our heart, soul, mind, strength. We must pass on not just words, but deeds. Lives sold out for God, not just in church, but in our homes, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

Today’s generation looks for faith in action, conversation, not dogma. Blurting out time honoured “truths” will only alienate.

So, we must handle Psalm 1 with care. Used lovingly, it is a thing of beauty. Handle it insensitively and it becomes a beast.

d o g m a o r c o n v e r s a t i o n ?

t r e e sI love trees. Majestic, beautiful, ever changing with the seasons and their maturity. They appear throughout the Bible, symbolising and illustrating God’s engagement with His creation.

t h e n a l l t h e t r e e s o f t h e f o r e s t w i l l s i n g f o r j o y, t h e y w i l l s i n g b e f o r e t h e L o r d . P s a l m 9 6 : 1 2

t h e r i g h t e o u s w i l l f l o u r i s h l i k e a p a l m t r e e .P s a l m 9 2 : 1 2

i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e g a r d e n w e r e t h e t r e e o f l i f e a n d t h e t r e e o f t h e k n o w l e d g e o f g o o d a n d e v i l . G e n e s i s 2 : 9 b

H e i s l i k e a t r e e p l a n t e d b y s t r e a m s o f w a t e r w h i c h y i e l d s i t s f r u i t i n s e a s o n a n d w h o s e l e a f d o e s n o t w i t h e r. W h a t e v e r h e d o e s p r o s p e r s . P s a l m 1 : 3

T h e G o d o f o u r f a t h e r s r a i s e d J e s u s f r o m t h e d e a d - w h o m y o u h a d k i l l e d b y h a n g i n g H i m o n a t r e e . A c t s 5 : 3 0

O n e a c h s i d e o f t h e r i v e r s t o o d t h e t r e e o f l i f e , b e a r i n g t w e l v e c r o p s o f f r u i t , y i e l d i n g i t s f r u i t e v e r y m o n t h . A n d t h e l e a v e s o f t h e t r e e a r e f o r t h e h e a l i n g o f t h e n a t i o n s . R e v e l a t i o n 2 2 : 2

p s a l m 8w h a t i s m a n t h a t y o u a r e m i n d f u l o f h i m ?

Apparent opposites appear again as

they did in Psalm 1. But now we’ve

moved from contrasting the righteous

and the wicked to ponder how a

majestic God, whose glory lies above

the heavens, can notice little old us

here on Earth. He does! And what’s

more, He’s given us major responsibility

for His Creation. And what’s more still,

it is the praise of the apparently least

influential (mere children) that cuts it

in the spiritual realm, silencing those

who would set themselves up against

God (the wicked, sinners and mockers

of Psalm1). And that encourages me,

as the world is not short of movers

and shakers who set themselves up

as the powerful and influential. But

those who are truly crowned with glory

and honour, and who make a real and

lasting difference, are the humble and

meek (those infants again) who wonder

that God sees them as worthy in the

first place. Many I come across day to

day lack confidence in their calling and

equipping (and that includes me). Chew

over Psalm 8, particularly verse 2 ... and

allow God to speak to and encourage

you - because you’re worth it.

w h a t i s m a n t h a t y o u a r e m i n d f u l o f h i m ?

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your

name in all the earth! You have set your

glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise because of

your enemies, to silence the foe and

the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the

work of your fingers, the moon and the

stars, which you have set in place, what

is man that you are mindful of him, the

son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the

heavenly beings and crowned him with

glory and honour. You made him ruler

over the works of your hands; you put

everything under his feet: all flocks and

herds, and the beasts of the field, the

birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your

name in all the earth!

A.M. Father God, as I re-join Your world after a night of rest, I realise afresh that You are so far beyond my comprehension that I am humbled. Your creation, which itself only reflects part of You, is awesome. How small, how insignificant, how helpless am I? And yet you care, indeed love me. That is equally awesome, and humbling. Enable me, this day, to live hour by hour, minute by minute, in the knowledge that I am loved by the Creator Himself. Amen

P.M. O Lord, I am being blown away today at Your Kingdom rule. I’ve not spotted any members of the Royal Family walking my streets, but I’ve seen the King at work in the situations I’ve been praying for, as if You yourself had been present in person to take charge. Give me, in all my uncertainty, the confidence to know that, though the task ahead can look daunting, the power behind me is bigger still. Rather than seeing myself as a little duck having to paddle hard, help me to understand that, if I trust You to provide, I can be like a ship under full sail carried forward by the wind. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

t h r o u g h t h e d a y w i t h p s a l m 8

EVE. As I look back on my day, I’m glad that I am part of Your family. It’s so good to know that You have chosen the likes of me to be Your hands and feet to reach out to a needy world. I admit, it’s a bit scary to think that what I do makes a difference, and distinctly worrying that, when I don’t do things I know I should, it leaves a gap in Your plan. Sorry, where I’ve blown it! As I go the bed, please strengthen me so I am ready to please you in all I do tomorrow. Goodnight, Lord.

You have set Your glory above the heavens

From the lips of children

Yo u c r o w n e d h i m w i t h g l o r y

a n d h o n o u r