READING THE BOOK OF PSALMS
PART LVIII
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Psalm 84
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Psalm 84 expresses the deep joy of the psalmist upon being in the Temple in Jerusalem–in the presence of God. This is a state of being fortunate, according to Psalm 84. The psalmist’s “soul” (as many translators render the text) is his “being,” for Judaism is not Platonism. In Judaism, the soul does not inhabit the body, for the soul and the body are not separate.
Psalm 84 is my favorite entry in the Psalter. The soundtrack in my head comes courtesy of Johannes Brahms, from his German Requiem. The soaring music by Brahms matches the text and expresses the recognition that God is our strength. We have nothing of which to boast in the presence of God, who transforms us and fills us with deep joy and well-being–shalom.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 1, 2023 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT HENRY MORSE, ENGLISH ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND MARTYR, 1645
THE FEAST OF SAINT BENEDICT DASWA, SOUTH AFRICAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CATECHIST AND MARTYR, 1990
THE FEAST OF CHARLES SEYMOUR ROBINSON, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER, HYMN WRITER, AND HYMNOLOGIST
THE FEAST OF GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA, ITALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC COMPOSER AND MUSICIAN
THE FEAST OF MITCHELL J. DAHOOD, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND BIBLICAL SCHOLAR
THE FEAST OF SAINT SIGEBERT III, KING OF AUSTRASIA
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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