I’m too young to
March with the infantry,
Ride with the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery,
I’m too young to
Spy on my enemies,
But I’m in the Lord’s army, Yes Sir!
Psalm 35
Of David.
1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin [a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
Thought-Provoking to say the least…Its so very easy to forget the whole ‘armies will encamp around you’ concept but sometimes one wishes they’d make themselves a bit more apparent to our enemies eh?
Maybe a corporeal foot for the briefest of briefs but long enough to send the obnoxious man in the bus flying face first into the lap of the girl sitting next to her 6′ 6″, short-tempered, insanely jealous, construction worker.
A flock of very well-fed pelicans prod in their bellies thus forcing them to release their load right above the pain-in-the-arse politician and his cronies.
This is such good time timing for me as well. Coming in for a lot of Criticism to day, people not understanding what I’m trying to do. This just reminds me that if it is truelly the will of God that I’m following then I will have His full support and that’s all I need.
Comment by whiteflash — February 26, 2008 @ 10:13 am
you’re welcome ms allatsea.
whiteflash… not with that wig on you won’t!
hi jeevan… obnoxious politicians covered in half digested bits of fish… cool image!
hi max… did you go on a jesus camp? what happens at one?
mmm and ben… to be honest i’ve always struggled with the army imagery… more on that another time… i guess it’s because i don’t feel at war with a particular person or people as david would have. great to see a whole psalm typed out here. psalms really make it okay to be human and flawed, don’t they?
I find lines such as ‘may they fall into the pit, to their ruin’ very difficult. Aren’t we supposed to love our enemies and see that they are in need of love and forgiveness just as we are? Aren’t we all saved by grace?
I’m not sure what I think about the way David views God in this psalm.
Bits like this always leave me feeling very confused.
Jon: ‘Jesus Camp’ is a documentary about Christian summer camps, but from my limited understanding (haven’t had the chance to watch it yet), its a pretty one-sided affair that does not really paint a overall picture. It certainly paints how much of society looks at us, though.
but on a totally unrelated, far more important note, ASBO was in my dreams last night… Steve had a ASBO T-Shirt slogan contest and my entry was:
hi hayley… those rants in the psalms really are the writer getting it off his chest. if i thought they were a model for living i’d hate them, but read as a real human being expressing his humanity both good and bad i find i relate. there’s nationalism and all sorts in the psalms… but they are raw and honest and from the gut… hiding nothing from god, which i like.
hey jaybrams… with a caption like that you surely must have won! i suppose it would depend on what mood steve was in! i’d have let you win!
Hayley, I know exactly what you mean about those uncomfortable lines in the psalms. But in a warped kind of a way, I kinda like them, too. For one thing, I like the way it confuses the cocksure Christians amongst us. It’s always good to know that you can’t pin everything down. And secondly, just for an instant, it makes me feel OK about occasionally indulging myself with those disturbing little fantasies about wreaking vengeance on my own enemies – before I set about trying to resolve my negative feelings. Guess I’m just a flawed old human!
I absolutely LOVE this picture. I actually just posted the quote on my office door today by Erwin McManus. “If an arrow of criticism doen’t pass through the filter of Scripture then do not let it pierce your heart!” It’s easier to fight when you have the right heart and the army of the Lord.
[...] that’s been some of my week. Those experiences and this post on ASBO (well the comments about how David asks for the ruin of his enemies) inspired me to [...]
Cheers Sas. I’m mostly erm…. with a bit of hmph and a good dose of argh Options evening didn’t help as I’m now also a bit zzzzzzzzzz.
I had a good conversation with the diocese which highlighted a lot of stuff to do. I had a good conversation with a colleague where we both put the world to rights. I’m unemployed in a couple of weeks because my contract finishes. Dr Ruth and I have discussed it and it is probably for the best given that I don’t what is happening next for me with the diocese. Lets just hope I can pay the rent!!
hey robb. all the best mate. so it’s a diocese school you’re working at? feel like i’m being a bit thick. hope things work out well for you mate.
zzzzzz sounds like a good counterpoint for erm and argh… hope you get good zzzzzzz.
No… erm… I was with the church. I went back to teaching as a bit of a stop gap paying the rent. I’m hoping that the vocational stuff will carry on in the future bishops et al willing. My teaching contract was just maternity cover and she is coming back at easter leaving me a bit high and dry.
Sorry, I know I have been a bit cryptic. I am finishing a dissertation for an MA in theology and ministry at the mo as the next step in my journey. 10k words down and 5 to go. How does the CofE engage with alternative worship? How do the structures allow for it?* I’ve already quit teaching once and moved on. I feel that I am currently an eye trying to be a hand…
*I know this is a two word answer, “They don’t” but I need to come up with another 14998 to go with them
Hope everything works out on the vocational front, Robb, and that financially you manage to keep your head above water. Absolute trust can be a toughie when it comes to balancing the books – but you’re probably better than me at all that. I’ll pray for you.
I know. I had to do that the first time round when my house sold about 5 minutes after the deadline for me leaving the job I had already quit for the church. Trust me, that does make sense and isn’t a typo
Thanks. I really appreciate it. I think this is what I need most. My spiritual director is a monk. There is something very comforting about knowing a man who is looking out for you and goes to pray seven times a day!
I’m too young to
March with the infantry,
Ride with the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery,
I’m too young to
Spy on my enemies,
But I’m in the Lord’s army, Yes Sir!
Comment by MMM — February 26, 2008 @ 4:48 am
Psalm 35
Of David.
1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin [a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
Comment by ben — February 26, 2008 @ 6:10 am
Hey
This is such good timing for me today. Must’ve been inspired. I’ll carry this around with me for the next few hours. Thanks muchly mr. Jon
xxx
Comment by allatseawithabucketandspade — February 26, 2008 @ 7:08 am
Thought-Provoking to say the least…Its so very easy to forget the whole ‘armies will encamp around you’ concept but sometimes one wishes they’d make themselves a bit more apparent to our enemies eh?
Maybe a corporeal foot for the briefest of briefs but long enough to send the obnoxious man in the bus flying face first into the lap of the girl sitting next to her 6′ 6″, short-tempered, insanely jealous, construction worker.
A flock of very well-fed pelicans prod in their bellies thus forcing them to release their load right above the pain-in-the-arse politician and his cronies.
etc…
Comment by Jeevan — February 26, 2008 @ 7:51 am
correction : construction worker boyfriend
Comment by Jeevan — February 26, 2008 @ 7:53 am
Makes me think of ‘Jesus Camp’ :s
Comment by maxplanck — February 26, 2008 @ 9:16 am
This is such good time timing for me as well. Coming in for a lot of Criticism to day, people not understanding what I’m trying to do. This just reminds me that if it is truelly the will of God that I’m following then I will have His full support and that’s all I need.
Comment by whiteflash — February 26, 2008 @ 10:13 am
you’re welcome ms allatsea.
whiteflash… not with that wig on you won’t!
hi jeevan… obnoxious politicians covered in half digested bits of fish… cool image!
hi max… did you go on a jesus camp? what happens at one?
mmm and ben… to be honest i’ve always struggled with the army imagery… more on that another time… i guess it’s because i don’t feel at war with a particular person or people as david would have. great to see a whole psalm typed out here. psalms really make it okay to be human and flawed, don’t they?
Comment by jonbirch — February 26, 2008 @ 11:29 am
I find lines such as ‘may they fall into the pit, to their ruin’ very difficult. Aren’t we supposed to love our enemies and see that they are in need of love and forgiveness just as we are? Aren’t we all saved by grace?
I’m not sure what I think about the way David views God in this psalm.
Bits like this always leave me feeling very confused.
Hayles x
Comment by Hayley — February 26, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Jon: ‘Jesus Camp’ is a documentary about Christian summer camps, but from my limited understanding (haven’t had the chance to watch it yet), its a pretty one-sided affair that does not really paint a overall picture. It certainly paints how much of society looks at us, though.
but on a totally unrelated, far more important note, ASBO was in my dreams last night… Steve had a ASBO T-Shirt slogan contest and my entry was:
“inspired by something _____ said…”
good times
Comment by Jaybrams — February 26, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
hi hayley… those rants in the psalms really are the writer getting it off his chest. if i thought they were a model for living i’d hate them, but read as a real human being expressing his humanity both good and bad i find i relate. there’s nationalism and all sorts in the psalms… but they are raw and honest and from the gut… hiding nothing from god, which i like.
hey jaybrams… with a caption like that you surely must have won! i suppose it would depend on what mood steve was in! i’d have let you win!
Comment by jonbirch — February 26, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
Love it!
You should ask my husband a thing or two about spiritual armies. That’s what he does.
I like the ones that don’t give me a headache!
Sas x
Comment by sarah — February 26, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
Hayley, I know exactly what you mean about those uncomfortable lines in the psalms. But in a warped kind of a way, I kinda like them, too. For one thing, I like the way it confuses the cocksure Christians amongst us. It’s always good to know that you can’t pin everything down. And secondly, just for an instant, it makes me feel OK about occasionally indulging myself with those disturbing little fantasies about wreaking vengeance on my own enemies – before I set about trying to resolve my negative feelings. Guess I’m just a flawed old human!
Comment by Carole — February 26, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
And it’s true.
Sas x
Comment by sarah — February 26, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
Good dream, Jaybrams. Makes a change from the blancmange giving a lecture in quantum physics from behind the fish counter in Asda.
It’s a sign that we need a range of ASBOJESUS hoodies available before Greenbelt.
Comment by Carole — February 26, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
they’re on their way! x
Comment by jonbirch — February 26, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Yay!!:-)
Comment by Carole — February 26, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Oops! got me emoticons in a tangle.
I meant
Comment by Carole — February 26, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
sorry if i took this off topic, i just thought the psalm was relevant.
Comment by ben — February 26, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
don’t you go apologising ben for bringing the bible on to the pages of this blog. great to have you and your input here. thanks!
Comment by jonbirch — February 26, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
Now I’ll be careful should I ever want to contend with ministers.
Well, at least not to do it for the purpose of making their life more difficult.
Comment by zefi — February 26, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
haha!
Comment by jonbirch — February 26, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
This is a good one, Jon.
Comment by Lori — February 26, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
I absolutely LOVE this picture. I actually just posted the quote on my office door today by Erwin McManus. “If an arrow of criticism doen’t pass through the filter of Scripture then do not let it pierce your heart!” It’s easier to fight when you have the right heart and the army of the Lord.
Comment by Jeremy — February 26, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
nice quote.
Comment by jonbirch — February 26, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
thanx lori.
Comment by jonbirch — February 26, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
*Off topic alert* – check the link on Jonny Baker’s blog on post “Grand challenges for theology for 21st Century”. I laughed my socks off…
Comment by Carole — February 26, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Did he pick a fight with Vigo Mortensen?
Comment by Robb — February 27, 2008 @ 10:04 am
Hey. Its the pointing man again..
Comment by steve — February 27, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
So it is, Steve. Actually he should know better than to pick on another vicar
Comment by Carole — February 27, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
Finger of Death!!!
Heh.
Comment by zefi — February 27, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
Isn’t that “Cake or death!”? (Eddie Izzard)
Sas
Comment by sarah — February 27, 2008 @ 10:16 pm
Oh no! Deja vu! All we need now is for someone to say “Pull my finger”.
Comment by Carole — February 27, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
Zefi, Finger of death from Talisman??
Comment by Robb — February 28, 2008 @ 12:13 am
I think we established on Jan 29th that it was finger of death from DoTA (whatever that is!)
Comment by Carole — February 28, 2008 @ 12:20 am
pull my finger! all of you!
Comment by jonbirch — February 28, 2008 @ 12:43 am
Defence of the Ancients (google)?
Drink of The Aadvaak (me)
Comment by Robb — February 28, 2008 @ 12:46 am
[...] that’s been some of my week. Those experiences and this post on ASBO (well the comments about how David asks for the ruin of his enemies) inspired me to [...]
Pingback by All at Sea - with a bucket and spade! — February 28, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
If I pull your finger will you fart?
Sas !
Comment by sarah — February 28, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
Robb how are you doing mate.
Prayed for you.
Hope you’re well.
Sas x
Comment by sarah — February 28, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
sas… i’ll fart whether you pull my finger or not…. mmmmmmm… that’s better.
Comment by jonbirch — February 29, 2008 @ 1:19 am
Aaah, shut up!
Sas
Comment by sarah — February 29, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Cheers Sas. I’m mostly erm…. with a bit of hmph and a good dose of argh
Options evening didn’t help as I’m now also a bit zzzzzzzzzz.
I had a good conversation with the diocese which highlighted a lot of stuff to do. I had a good conversation with a colleague where we both put the world to rights. I’m unemployed in a couple of weeks because my contract finishes. Dr Ruth and I have discussed it and it is probably for the best given that I don’t what is happening next for me with the diocese. Lets just hope I can pay the rent!!
Comment by Robb — February 29, 2008 @ 9:10 am
hey robb. all the best mate. so it’s a diocese school you’re working at? feel like i’m being a bit thick. hope things work out well for you mate.
zzzzzz sounds like a good counterpoint for erm and argh… hope you get good zzzzzzz.
Comment by jonbirch — February 29, 2008 @ 9:24 am
No… erm… I was with the church. I went back to teaching as a bit of a stop gap paying the rent. I’m hoping that the vocational stuff will carry on in the future bishops et al willing. My teaching contract was just maternity cover and she is coming back at easter leaving me a bit high and dry.
Sorry, I know I have been a bit cryptic. I am finishing a dissertation for an MA in theology and ministry at the mo as the next step in my journey. 10k words down and 5 to go. How does the CofE engage with alternative worship? How do the structures allow for it?* I’ve already quit teaching once and moved on. I feel that I am currently an eye trying to be a hand…
*I know this is a two word answer, “They don’t” but I need to come up with another 14998 to go with them
Comment by Robb — February 29, 2008 @ 10:12 am
Hope everything works out on the vocational front, Robb, and that financially you manage to keep your head above water. Absolute trust can be a toughie when it comes to balancing the books – but you’re probably better than me at all that. I’ll pray for you.
Comment by Carole — February 29, 2008 @ 10:58 am
I know. I had to do that the first time round when my house sold about 5 minutes after the deadline for me leaving the job I had already quit for the church. Trust me, that does make sense and isn’t a typo
Comment by Robb — February 29, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Robb, 43, that’s probably why I was told to pray for you.
Keep at it. God’s on your side (if you know what I mean).
Praying for you both,
Sas xxx
Comment by sarah — February 29, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Thanks. I really appreciate it. I think this is what I need most. My spiritual director is a monk. There is something very comforting about knowing a man who is looking out for you and goes to pray seven times a day!
Comment by Robb — February 29, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
lol, awesome.
Comment by Jason — March 2, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
how can u have asbo jesus
Comment by hayley — March 3, 2008 @ 9:08 am
I would guess that you get an ASBO for being antisocial. Jesus was so antisocial that they crucified him.
Comment by Robb — March 3, 2008 @ 9:47 am
MMM – what did I start by mentioning that old kids chorus!!
Didn’t realise the angels had lightsabres!!
Comment by brunettekoala — March 6, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
Hi Brunette!
Sas x
Comment by sarah — March 6, 2008 @ 11:58 pm