During Advent, our group’s focus is on the psalms traditionally selected by the Church for the Sunday worship liturgy. You can see these 9 psalms listed in the Sunday Lectionary on page 717 in our revised Book of Common Prayer. ( Psalms 24, 50, 72, 80, 85, 122, 126, 132,146)
Last week we looked at 3 Advent psalms that are community laments (80, 85, and 126). These laments express our need for God’s continuing, transforming work in us. Advent is about repentance (change) leading to increased wholeness/integrity, Christlikeness. In Advent, God remains open to our complaints and wants us to be open to hear from him.
1. How is God opening your heart to desire and receive God’s transforming grace this Advent season?
Today’s focus is on two liturgical psalms and a hymn of praise from ancient Israel’s worship liturgy:
- Psalm 24, an entrance liturgy about preparing for worship and welcoming the King of Glory, the Divine Warrior
- Psalm 50, a prophetic hymn as liturgy for covenant renewal
- Psalm 146, a hymn of praise for temple and tabernacle worship
As Anglican Christians, we can identify with Israel’s seriousness about worship. Perhaps, like King David and his choral director Asaph and Israel’s faithful remnant, we too long to worship God authentically and wholeheartedly, not in mindless, monotonous ritual and repetition.
2. What instructions is God giving us through these psalms about our preparation for worship and our practiceof worship, especially during Advent?
Which of these instructions do you value or need most in Advent 2019?
Psalm 24 begins with God’s ownership of the world and everything in it.
3. On what is his authority based (v. 2)? How does the psalmist view God’s rule in the world (vv. 7-10)?
What do you imagine it would be like for David to write this psalm as the king of Israel?
What helps you to acknowledge your absolute dependence on God for your being, sustenance, and continued existence?
How is your understanding of the season of Advent helping you to acknowledge your dependence on God?
Remember that the Israelites had no concept of sinless perfection, or no one would have ever been allowed to worship in the tabernacle or temple. Notice the similarities between Psalm 24:3-6 and Psalm 15. Also notice that the qualities described are matters of the heart, and no human priest could know whether or not they were present.
Perhaps reading and singing about these qualities that result from torah obedience triggered a deep yearning in the hearts of sincere worshipers to have these qualities more and more. This yearning is ultimately fulfilled in Christ Himself, our identification with Him, and His reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
4. How does reviewing the requirements for receiving blessing from God (24:4-5) further strengthen Psalm 24’s picture of our dependence on God alone?
The scene shifts in 24:7. Those who seek God (hunger for His presence) are admitted to worship, and they joyfully await the arrival of God Himself.
Imagine a large group of people responding in this question-answer format.
5. How would the claims of Psalm 24 encourage anticipation and hope? What is its Advent message for you?