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.
“What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. . . . It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.” Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)” Ch. 6 (1889)
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A Good Word (Day 2)
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A number of years ago I worked a job that involved oil tanker trucks. Loading and unloading these tankers was a challenge. One wrong measurement, one wrong move could lead to a gusher--either overfilling the truck or a back-flow from the main tank, or even overfilling the main tank--an uphill battle involving hundreds of thousands of gallons pushing down with gravity’s help, trying all at once to get out. Once, we had the fine occasion of hooking a full truck to the pump for an off-load and one tiny little clamp was not fastened down on the coupler--any guesses as to what happened? Anyone?
At first all we did was soak in the rain of oil, trying to understand what was happening. Then we ran through the black deluge, yelling at each other, coordinating our efforts until the geyser could be contained. When the valve was finally closed and the spray ceased, all we could do was breathlessly take in the scene--dripping oil everywhere. The entire operation was shut down until we could get it cleaned up. Which took the entire rest of the day. Then we had to start all over.
“My heart overflows . . .”
Psalm 45 opens with the something akin to, “It’s gonna blow!”--the writer’s heart overflows, gushes like a fountain with a love song he can’t wait to share. He wants everyone to feel what he feels, sharing in the rapturous joy of the song. What does it feel like when your heart is “overflowing”? What are some things that make your heart “overflow” to the point you can’t contain it? Whatever it is, we must agree that we must let it out! We like to share what makes us happy!
Who in their right mind stuffs down that which makes one smile, laugh or shout a little? Who likes to keep good news to themselves? I know a teacher who for years seeded every lecture and/or power point presentation with pictures of his grandchildren. A wise father once told his son, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23). When overjoyed, we feel most alive!
“ . . . with a pleasing theme”
Literally, “a good word.” This joyous song is a pleasing to him, to the audience and most notably, to the king. We’ll look at this later. Presently, let’s think about what “good word” here means. This is the same term used when God created everything--He spoke, what He spoke came into being, and God said it was . . . “good” (טוֹב) Same word in Hebrew.
Consider this: God created with a word (“and it was good” is repeated 6 times in Genesis), and the psalmist is creative with words (and it’s a good word)! This love song is a touching song, a dignified song. The lyrics are carefully chosen, not haphazardly penned. The force of all that emotion is under control and flows from his heart to his pen to our hearts. Oh, the words are beautiful.
“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...
