HEAD(hed), (n.) 1. the top part of the human body or the front part of an animal where the eyes, nose, east and mouth are. "Your brain is in your head." DIBS(dibz), (n.) 2. a thick, sweet syrup made in countries of the East, especially the Middle East, from grape juice or dates. [Arabic "debs"]--World Book Dictionary, 1976.
“Ryabovitch pulled the bed-clothes over his head, curled himself up in bed, and tried to gather together the floating images in his mind and to combine them into one whole. But nothing came of it. He soon fell asleep, and his last thought was that someone had caressed him and made him happy—that something extraordinary, foolish, but joyful and delightful, had come into his life. The thought did not leave him even in his sleep. When he woke up the sensations of oil on his neck and the chill of peppermint about his lips had gone, but joy flooded his heart just as the day before.” The Kiss By Anton Chekhov (1860–1904)
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A Song From An Overflowing Heart (Day 1)
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Ever had one of those moments when you found yourself scrambling for paper and pen because something came to mind you did not want to forget? Not just any “something” but you needed to capture a thought that excited you so terribly that perhaps in your fervor to “get it down” you raised a curious alarm to those around you? “Just give me something!” you scream as you frantically try not lose the light of the epiphany. That’s the scenario that comes to mind when I read, “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” (Psalm 45:1)
Who is this scribe? What verses are about to burst from his heart? All the words are on the tip of his tongue and he must get them down lest he swallow them by accident!
First understand that this song is a “maskil”, the Hebrew word describing one of those songs that gets stuck in your head and won’t leave. It’s a song that makes you think because there is wisdom hidden within. If you pay attention and listen--really listen--the song will work it’s way into your heart. A simple definition is, “ponder” or “contemplate.” Might seem strange to use a song as a teaching tool, but’s really not. We teach children the A,B,C’s with song or communicate moral principles with songs like Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.”
You get the idea. That’s what Psalm 45 is all about--something to think about--but “what”?
The beauty of Hebrew poetry is that most often we are told who wrote the song, who the song was intended for, and in most cases, the very tune to which the song is played. This one is a “Lilly” song, a song of love. Over the course of time, we’ve lost exactly what that tune is, but if we are told it’s a love song and it sounds like “Lillies” then we can imagine it must be a song that lifts a fragrant aroma of love, which is appropriate knowing there’s mention of a bride and groom in the lyrics. A celebration of love! Here's a contemporary performance that captures the spirit:
The “sons of Korah” wrote this song for “the choirmaster.” The sons of Korah were descendants of Korah (lived during the time of Moses) and were mostly musicians, passing the talent down from generation to generation. This song was written for lead singers, basically. Speaking more broadly, the song is written for anyone in a leadership position. So listen up.
We’ll spend the rest of the month (hopefully) studying, pondering, contemplating this love song, letting it work it’s way from the page, into our head to into our heart. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love too.
“Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?” EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.3.6 b –8
Legend has it that the astronomer Ptolemy (1st century A.D.) suggested that falling stars were caused by the gods moving in the heavens, thus knocking stars out of their places. Somehow people reasoned that that if the gods were moving, they must be getting close to earth so they would lift their "prayers" or "wishes" (literally, "desires") whenever they saw the stars falling in hopes the gods would notice and grant a favorable answer. But how does one wish on falling star? Once you see it, it's gone before the wish or prayer can be made! The answer is simple: meteor shower. That's how to get your wish. Mrs. Ann Hodges had a wish fall right into her lap. Sort of. In 1954 Mrs. Hodges was sleeping on the couch when a 8 1/2 pound meteorite fell through her house and into her living room where it bounced off the radio and struck her left hip leaving her with a bruise. Not sure what she was wishing, but that's not how to do it. Epictetus hel...
