Sometimes a particular translation of a Scripture just seems to leap off the page and grab me. That’s what happened as I was feasting on the Psalms and ran into Eugene Peterson’s translation of Psalm 65. Here is a rich one.
“Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest at home in your place!” Once again I realize that because of the Cross, he’s talking about me. I belong here.
Then this gripping description of our Creator. “Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer, Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser…Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash, of mobs in noisy riot …” Mobs in noisy riot? We are praying for some of that muzzling in our day, aren’t we?
And look at this! “Dawn and dusk take turns calling, “Come and worship” …from morning till twilight, He calls us into His Presence. He never gets tired of us. Day and night, let incense arise.
Then the Psalmist pleas with the Almighty. “Oh, visit the earth, ask her to join the dance! Deck her out in spring showers, fill the God-River with living water. Paint the wheat fields golden. Creation was made for this!” Aren’t we watching this unfold, morning by morning?
“Drench the plowed fields, soak the dirt clods with rainfall as harrow and rake bring her to blossom and fruit. Snow-crown the peaks with splendor, scatter rose petals down the paths…all through the wild meadows, rose petals. Set the hills to dancing…”
Read it all! Look around you! Take a walk, breathe in the lush green, breathe out your words of praise. He has created it all! He is in control. Life triumphs over death. Light wins over darkness once again, a reminder that our King is coming back.
“Oh, oh, let them sing!”