Psalm 26 - Traps and Level Ground // Plus a little contemplative photography "lesson"

In Ordinary BenchMarks, I write many times about the flooding at the lake. This lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the water levels are managed in order to prevent flooding downstream. So when we get significant rains, the lake floods in very interesting ways. After the rain and snow recently, the water level at the lake is higher than I remember it being. Add to that the bitter cold that has come and we have this sight that Scout and I came to this morning. There are three levels of steps down from this point that goes to the bench that was at the heart of my book. So, my guess is that the bench is under at least 6’ of water at this point and it is slowly freezing over as well.

The bench is probably past the edge of the ice...my guess is 5-6' past where that pole is (and then 6' below the water)

Below are a few more photos of the “expansion” of the lake (which, btw, continues to expand each of the last few days when we’ve been there).

The first photo is from Monday morning and the rest are from Tuesday morning so you can see in the first two how much the water has still gone up. FYI just for location, if you look on the right side on photos 2, 3, and 4, you can see where the steps and railing are

Anyway...in reading Psalm 26 today (today is one of the Psalms that Fischer did not translate), the writer goes into all kinds of things that he (David) is trying to avoid. “I do not consort with the decietful or consort with those who are dishonest...I hate the mob of evil ones and I do not associate with the wicked...do not sweep me away with sinners or execute me along with violent people who are always ready to do wrong or offer a bribe (26: 4,5,9,10).”

It feels as I read those words and the whole of this Psalm like the writer is looking around at all these temptations and traps and trying to stay on level ground. In fact the last verse of the Psalm says, “My foot stands on level ground // in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.” Feels a bit like the first photo where Scout and I were. Ahead of us it was frozen and flooded. To the right of us was also frozen and flooded. To the left the path was ALSO frozen and flooded. Three of the ways that we could go were impassable. But in that spot, we were safe. We were dry. We were on level ground.

A Bit of Contemplative Photography Here

So, this is a good example of how I practice contemplative photography and use it as a tool for helping words (in this case the Psalms) come to life in a new way. I had read this Psalm Monday night before I went to bed and re-read it the next morning before Scout and I headed out. I read it again around lunchtime and then late in the day was reflecting on what I had seen through the day and I saw how that first photo of Scout and the frozen-and-flooded-over steps spoke to this Psalm. It brought it to a greater depth (pun sort-of intended) for me and was a part of keeping this Psalm before me throughout the day.

But this isn’t just for religious texts. You can do this with poetry or with music or with a host of other things. Whatever you use to help ground you, this practice is something you can do to help it sink deeper into your heart, mind, and body.

Grace, Peace, Love, and Joy,
Ed

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