Psalm Photos - 131 - Kasem
Psalm 131
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore.
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Today is a day for another translation of this Psalm - today from The Message...
God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!
I love Peterson's translation of the verse about "calmed and quieted my soul..." as "I've kept my feet on the ground..." I have learned a lot about "grounded" myself through readings lately by Richard Rohr and Bill Plotkin, but its still a concept that is hard to wrap my mind around. Peterson's "keeping feet on the ground" is a good way to look at it - I love the idea of being grounded, rooted in something solid - in the love and grace of God. But there needs to be something beyond that - the Psalm here speaks of hope for something from today to time forevermore. That's not always something that is grounded but instead is reaching for beyond the now. And here's where current events come into play with the death of Casey Kasem in the last few days. I grew up listening to Casey Kasem's Top 40 on the radio (is that still on today?) and he always signed off with "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." I love that statement - grounded but reaching beyond.
So, in our faith, be grounded and rooted in God, but reach beyond where you are today to the one who gives hope today and forevermore.