Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
For churches following the Revised Common Lectionary today, the Gospel is about Jesus’ temptation; various verses from Genesis 2 and 3 tell of Adam and Eve being tempted; and Romans 5:12-19 contrasts Adam and Christ. (It would be interesting to explore why Eve gets the blame for eating the forbidden fruit and offering some to Adam in Genesis, yet she gets no mention by Paul!)
However, today we focus on the psalm designated by the lectionary, psalm 32. Some translations (e.g. NRSV) include the words: a maskil, which means enlightened or wise.
One way of studying the Bible is to look at it as literature. Hebrew poetry does not rhyme – in the original or translation! Instead, it relies heavily on parallelism – two lines or half-verses which work together. However, these two may agree with each other – synonymous; or use a contrast – antithesis. These are the main pairs but there are others: emblematic parallelism, where one half is explicit and the other more figurative and synthetic where each line builds on the previous one(s). Psalm 32 displays three of these types of parallelism: v8 is synonymous, v10 is antithetical and v1&2 are synthetic.
Literary criticism is all very well but does that help this psalm to speak to us? Does it mesh with the other lectionary readings?
There is no temptation in this psalm, except the temptation to wallow in sin before we confess it! The implication of the four readings seems to be that we are so frail as humans that we will give in to temptation and thus sin. And I expect that is true on some occasions, yet our relationship with God is built on the acknowledgement that not only are we likely to sin but also that we are disciples and are willing to learn and grow.
We read in v 1&2:
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Preachers! There is enough in just this verse for a whole sermon and service! "Complete honesty!" Does this mean not following popular culture which teaches children to believe in Santa Claus? Does this mean telling the truth when someone asks: “does this dress suit me”? Or does it refer only to being honest with ourselves and examining our motives, thoughts, words and actions?
Heavenly Father, we are all aware that we have sinned, repeatedly and stupidly. We know our errors and wish to change.
Jesus our Saviour, you lived on this earth to show us how to put loving God first in our lives, and considering ourselves last, after serving and loving others.
Holy Spirit, we can only see our errors and change ourselves with your help. Be with us and nudge us constantly so we can experience Ps 32:11 –
So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
Amen.
Elaine Kinchin
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