Psalm 50 - A Psalm of Wisdom (Orientation)
by Pastor Paul Dugan
Try entering into prayer with this three-part rhythm:
Part 1
Become present to the presence of God:
Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. (Psalm 5:3 The Message).
Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being- your body, mind, imagination, affections and emotions. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.
Optional prayer of approach: “What can we give you, Lord, when earth and heaven are yours, and all things your rightful possession? What gift can we bring when every good gift is from your hands? …. A repentant heart, thanks overflowing, is the best we can bring- a confident leaning upon grace; a settled trust in your faithfulness.” (Sheltering Mercy, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 50).
Part 2
Slowly read Psalm 50 (ESV) out loud: (for audio versions click here)
1 The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence;
before him is a devouring fire,
around him a mighty tempest.
4 He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge! Selah
7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me…
23 …The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!
Part 3
Use your own words to pray Psalm 50 back to God:
"I lament the sorrow and pain in my life and world that has resulted from unwise choices... (my choices and the choices of others)
“I thank you God for giving us clear boundaries, for defining for us what is true and false, good and evil, wise and foolish. And thank you for giving us the freedom to choose the good. I bring to you the choices that are before me today… (ex, how I invest my time, thoughts, words, relationships, money, abilities, body, etc.)
The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 50 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.
From the album Asaph (2014) by Loud Harp. loudharp.com
From the album ‘Chanting in the Language of Christ’ (2018) by Seraphim Bit-Kharibi. https://wyattgraham.com/chanting-father-seraphim/.