September 1, 2025
Good afternoon,
Wendell Berry is a farmer, activist, writer and poet. I have quoted him before. I have not seen anything by him since the recent changes in the US government. I think he sounds like a Psalmist here. He begins with the challenges with life, and then he moves to grace, and a more positive attitude.
Many of the Psalms have this kind of structure. The writer of many psalms writes about how the community is doing. Sometimes the community of God is not doing well. Sometimes they have sinned, and life is a struggle. Other times, bad things just happen. Unfortunately, the writer of these great biblical poems does not center them by telling us what exactly happened.
Psalm 5
Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray. Psalm 5:1-2
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield. psalm 5:11-12
I think we live our lives in the middle of the most of the Psalms. We have highs and lows, but we also experience immense grief and loss, and Gloria Hallelujah. How would you describe your in terms of the Psalms today.
Fred
See Berry’s poem below.
Ponder Anew 