Hinge verse: Psalm 73:26
The heading of our reading today says "God's Ways Vindicated--a Psalm of Asaph." Asaph is the chief of musicians (and cymbal player) for the tabernacle, appointed by King David in 1 Chronicles 16:4-7. He and 9 others are to minister before the once stolen, newly returned ark of the covenant, where the LORD's presence dwells. Their main focus is to the celebrate the LORD God of Israel, and to give thanks and praise to Him.
Psalm 50 and Psalms 73-83 are all attributed to Asaph. Above Psalm 73, there's a heading that reads
"Book III", which covers Psalm 73-89. The Psalms were actual songs sang by the Israelites, arranged and performed as their worship set; later referred to as Psalter. Many churches still sing from the Psalter to this day.
In Psalm 73, Asaph and the men sing about the goodness of God, and in contrast, their clumsiness before Him. Much like our Psalm from Day 9, there is grieving over the arrogance, violence, prosperity, pride, malice, and blasphemy of the wicked. Asaph wonders if there's any use in staying clean--heart and body. (And as a Levite, that would be a huge question.) He struggles with the questions swirling around in his mind. (Reminds me of the lyrics of the Caedmon's Call song--"No one would love me if they knew all the things I hide.") It all seemed really hopeless. Until he entered into God's sanctuary. Nothing the wealthy have would be worth trading for the presence of God. Asaph recognizes his bitterness, stupidity, his lack. He is human, his heart and flesh have failed, and will fail again. BUT GOD will strengthen him again and again.
Because of the wide range of events referenced in Psalm 73-83, the songs written by Asaph were probably not all written by him, but maybe in homage to him or in his style. The Psalms were sang in the Tabernacle, and also the temple built by Solomon. Which means that these songs were being sung while the nation of Israel was being divided into two nations. From the time David joyfully danced into Jerusalem as the ark of the covenant was returned, to the time the nation divided soon after King Solomon's death, 90-100 years passed. 1 Kings 12 King Rehoboam, King Solomon's son, and King Jeroboam, part of King Solomon's trusted inner circle, through a series of events--both saw themselves as the rightful king. These men, both Israelites, essentially brothers--their flesh and their hearts failed. They refused to truly lift their voices in unity, and march together toward one goal; giving thanks to God and praising Him. They failed to see the pivotal moment--But God is the strength of my heart. And so they led their two nations, Israel and Judah, into rebellion against God and each other.
In 1776, America declared it's independence from Britain. During the battles of the American Revolution, there were several popular marching songs, including the famous "Yankee Doodle". Marching songs were meant to keep the troops united in step and morale. (I remember my dad talking about marching songs--cadences--he learned while in Vietnam.) They were often accompanied by fifes which provided the melody for singing along; and drums which kept the beat for marching. They helped pass the time during long marches, and helped combat boredom. They was a comaraderie, a brotherhood in the songs.
But in 1861--85 years after the signing of the declaration of independence--the Civil war began. A war not like the American Revolution. This one was brother against brother.
President Lincoln vowed to keep the union together, even as the south demanded independence. The war began in April and in November, Julia Ward Howe visited Washington, DC with her husband. As the troops were marching around the area, she heard them raise their voices in comaraderie and unity. They were singing John Brown's Body who was a famous abolitionist. Julia Ward Howe told a preacher nearby that she'd always wanted to write new words set to this tune. The next morning, the poem started coming to her and she wrote it down before she forgot. Mrs Howe was a very strong abolitionist (anti-slavery) herself, so she made sure the lyrics included a slap to the ones who were fighting against their own brothers for the right to own slaves. We know this song today as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
'As you deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;'
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sitting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant my feet!
Our God is marching on!
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! While God is marching on!!"
We are human. We choose violence, our feet slip, we are arrogant, we feel hopeless. In Asaph's day, in Julia Ward Howe's day, today. But God offers a marching song. A song that, when we lift it together in unity, comaraderie, solidarity--under Elohim (His Name in verse 26), under Jehovah-Nissi "The LORD is our banner"--it will strengthen our failing hearts. We will know as one that God's presence is our good. We have made the Lord God our refuge, so we can tell about all He does. #goals
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