Psalms 55 and 56 from my new book:
A NEW LOOK AT THE OLD PSALMS
Praying the Psalms: a modern interpretation
____________________
Psalms 55 and 56 from my new book:
Praying the Psalms: a modern interpretation
____________________
I present here a new perspective on the psalms. I have rewritten them from a New
Testament Christ-centered point of view. I did not try to capture the poetry of the
psalms – I leave that to more gifted writers – but I attempted to capture their message
with a more modern interpretation.
Testament Christ-centered point of view. I did not try to capture the poetry of the
psalms – I leave that to more gifted writers – but I attempted to capture their message
with a more modern interpretation.
God bless,
John
____________________
Psalm
55
(Jesus prays to his Father about his betrayal by
Judas.)
" F
|
ather, hear my prayer. The attacks by my enemies and
the burden of the sins of the world weigh heavily upon me. I feel the full
force of the rage of the wicked. As I hang here for the salvation of sinners, I
feel how much the thoughts of dying fill them with immense anxiety and dread.
As much as I would like you to save me from this horror, I must accept it for
their sake. I feel all the sins and hardships of the people. The ungodly
deceive them and treat them unjustly. Father, put an end to this evil.
I was betrayed by a friend. I can understand an
enemy making false charges against me, but not an acquaintance whom I expected
to lead my people, who ate with me, and accompanied me to the Temple. Yet you
will rescue me from the grave and humiliate those who betrayed me and broke
your commandments. They have condemned themselves through their evil acts which
they pursue relentlessly.
My betrayer’s smooth words hid a heart that aimed to
hurt me. Give me justice, Father, for you care for all your children who rely
on your help. Bring the wicked to repent their sins, for the souls who
ceaselessly pursue evil will be condemned to hell for eternity in the
afterlife. But I know you will save me. Amen.”
Psalm
56
(Jesus describes his victory over the devil. The
idea that good will prevail over evil in the end has become a basic tenet of
the Church, much like a pillar that supports the physical structure of the
Church.)
" F
|
ather, I am under constant attack from the devil and
his numerous minions. The battle has reached a fever pitch and I am afraid. But
I place my trust in you, for your words are true and you have promised me
victory in the end.
The ungodly condemn my teachings and plot against me
constantly. They wait for just the right moment to strike and take my life. If
they persist, they cannot be saved. You will cast them down into the pit. Their
defeat is assured since you always respond to my calls for help. Because I hope
in you and trust in your promises, I am not afraid of any man. I will keep my
vows to you.
Praise be to you, Father, for you have rescued me
from the darkness of the tomb and kept my feet on solid ground so that I can
spend eternity with you in the light. Amen.”18
Cover image: Christ the Saviour (Pantokrator)." Web. 25 Sept 2016.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spas_vsederzhitel_sinay.jpg
"Creative Commons License." Web. 18 May 2016.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
18The Orthodox Study Bible. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008), 718.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spas_vsederzhitel_sinay.jpg
"Creative Commons License." Web. 18 May 2016.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
18The Orthodox Study Bible. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008), 718.
Scriptural quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois
60189. All rights reserved.
60189. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2016 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must
be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is
offered to the public free of charge for the glory of God.
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