Above: The Middle Oconee River at Ben Burton Park, Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, October 14, 2017
Photographer = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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READING THE BOOK OF PSALMS
PART XVIII
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Psalms 24, 29, and 33
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The theme of God in creation runs through Psalms 24, 29, and 33. These three texts, taken together, portray God as the sovereign and mighty master of creation and history. The God of Psalm 24 is the leader of heavenly armies. The God of Psalm 29 bears more similarity to Baal Peor, the Canaanite storm and fertility god, than to the God of the still, small silence in 1 Kings 19:11b-12. The God of Psalm 33 is the one who delivers kings and warriors, for large armies, great strength, and horses are false hopes.
Such a deity is worthy of praise. Such a deity reveals self in creation. The righteous–those in right relationship with God, others, self, and all creation–can “read creation,” to quote Walter Brueggemann. Therefore, they lead hope-filled lives of trust in God. Creation itself reveals God’s covenant with the people.
I like the Reformed teaching that God has two books–the Bible and nature. Reading both books correctly requires a particular perspective and can be challenging. Concerted effort is no guarantor of success. And, as I know acutely from my historical training, NO TEXT INTERPRETS ITSELF; AT LEAST ONE HUMAN BRAIN IS NECESSARY. I, as an Episcopalian, channel scripture through tradition and reason.
In Psalms 24, 29, and 33, the human context for individual righteousness is faith community. My global Western culture gives short shrift to the community and revels in individualism. My culture maintains an imbalance of the individual and the collective. Thus, many people labor under the misconception that they can be “spiritual, not religious,” and take a solo spiritual journey. They miss the essential role of faith community, with both support and accountability.
May we, in faith community, follow God, pursue righteousness, and revere and protect nature. God speaks to us through it, too. Which messages are we missing because we are not paying attention?
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 26, 2022 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR
THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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