Monday 29 September 2025

Psalm 67

Background
We’re now in our second week of dipping into the section of the Hebrew scriptures known as 'The Writings'. In the Hebrew Bible these books of poetry and wisdom come after the Law and the Prophets. Within the Judaism of Jesus’ day there was disagreement about their value but we do find a few direct quotations from Proverbs in the New Testament Letters. When we read the words of Jesus in the gospels we can see that he too was a teacher of wisdom and his sayings were easily remembered and passed on.

Since the sayings in Proverbs seem to have been collected together from a number of sources it can be hard to find a particular theme running through any given passage. However it might help us to think of today’s reading as encouraging us to build up a right attitude which will be the foundation of good personal relationships. Thus we learn first of all not to be presumptuous when making plans for the future. This general piece of wisdom is echoed in the letter of James (4:13-17) and in Jesus’ parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21).

Boasting about one’s plans can easily turn into boasting about oneself, and so the rest of our passage cautions against such pride. We should be content to wait for other people’s evaluation of our abilities. Furthermore we should know who are the people who genuinely have our best interests at heart and learn to value a critical friend rather than an empty or scheming flatterer. “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (v. 6)

To Ponder:

• How can I achieve the lightness of spirit which plans for the future but can live with unpredictability?
• How good am I at trusting and learning from the rebukes of those who care for me?

Prayer
“Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and mortals in a wonderful order: grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so, at your command, they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.” (Collect for St Michael and all Angels)

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Donald Ker
Donald Ker is a supernumerary minister, originally from Ireland where he served in a number of different appointments, but now living in Solihull on the Birmingham Circuit.