Sunday, December 18, 2011

Of moths and men

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For today's PsalmChallenge at Daily Athens, here is the dark Psalm 39.
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To the leader: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 I said, ‘I will guard my ways
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence.’
2 I was silent and still;
I held my peace to no avail;
my distress grew worse,
3 my heart became hot within me.
While I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4Lord, let me know my end,
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight.
Surely everyone stands as a mere breath.
Selah
6 Surely everyone goes about like a shadow.
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
they heap up, and do not know who will gather.

7 ‘And now, O Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Do not make me the scorn of the fool.
9 I am silent; I do not open my mouth,
for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me;
I am worn down by the blows of your hand.

11 ‘You chastise mortals in punishment for sin,
consuming like a moth what is dear to them;
surely everyone is a mere breath.
Selah

12 ‘Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
do not be deaf at my tears;
for I am an alien with you,
a sojourner like all my forebears.


13 Look away from me, that I may hold back,
before I pass away and am gone.
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The psalm in Hebrew, with commentary, is here.

PHOTOS:
1. Ancient and new graves, Tiberias cemetery
2. "Homo sapiens" at the Australian Museum, Sydney
3. Dean at the same moth and butterfly exhibit
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9 comments:

  1. A Psalm that made it difficult for me to take any other picture afterwards for the rest of the day.

    Returning home its force surely follows me for a much longer time. However, needed I think in the contemporary space of time.

    Wishing you a kind Sunday; and many thanks for your kind participation.

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  2. Excellent illustrations for the Psalm!

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  3. That is such a sweet and beautiful photo of your adorable grandson.

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  4. A psalm difficult to find photo, but you got it! A photo of encouragement in the past..sweet.

    Blessed Sunday to you Dina

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  5. Long time since the last time I visited your blog....I just came here to say hi Dina! :)

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  6. Sarah? Sarah the architect?! Hello Sarah!!
    I'm so glad to see you again. I hope it is well with you and your family. These are difficult times we live in.

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  7. An interesting choice of images!

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  8. Your warm hello gave me a lot of positive Energy :)
    Everything is OK...I'm studying Master at university :)

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  9. Sarah, your visits always give me a big smile too. That's great that you continue your studies, enjoy it!

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