Sermon for April 29, 2018; Psalm 22:25-31

Rev. George Miller
April 29, 2018
Psalm 22:25-31

It’s been said that in the Eskimo language there are 100 words for snow. English has about 32 words for rain.

And in Hebrew, there are 7 words for “praise.”

There is zamar (zaw-mar) which means to sing with instruments and to touch the strings.

There’s yadah (yaw-daw) which means to raise an extended hand, it is a form of surrender and affection, as when a child says “pick me up, Papa.”

There’s tehillah (teh-hil-law) which means to sing out, to be spontaneous, to share the melody that’s in your heart, unrehearsed.

There is barak (baw-rak) which means to kneel or bow, to be reverent before the Lord.

Shabach (shaw-bakh)- to address with shouts and loud adoration, giving testimony in praise while being unashamed.

Then there is towdah (to-daw) which means to extend the hand in agreement, saying “That’s right,” “Hmm-mmm,” and “All that I am is yours.”

Finally there is halal which means to shine, to celebrate, to act a fool.

Now, why would anybody want to act like a fool?

Anyone who has sunk to the pits of despair and emerged with new breath.

Why would anybody act a fool?

Anyone who has been encircled by the bulls of Bashan and found their way out.

Why would anybody act a fool?

Anyone who has ever uttered the words “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me???”

Why would anybody act a fool?

Anyone who can testify what God has done, not caring what anyone else has to say.

Today we take a look at Psalm 22, a scripture that everybody should know.

Why?

Because Psalm 22 addresses perhaps the most universal experience- the suffering of man and the abandonment of God.

It does not sugarcoat. It doesn’t pretend. It puts it out there for anyone who has ever said “God- where are you?”

Psalm 22 is a song for the lonely.

It is a song for anyone who feels dejected and down in the dirt.

It is for those who know what it’s like to have people mock you or use unflattering names.

Psalm 22 is for anyone who feels that trouble is near, their body is breaking down and their heart is melting away.

Psalm 22 is for anyone who has ever been abused, traumatized, neglected, hurt and left to wonder “Why me?

Psalm 22 is for anyone who knows what it is like to have a sleepless night, an endless day, and to spend hours in humiliation.

Psalm 22 is for anyone who has ever wondered “Where is God?”

“Is God asleep?”

“Is God deaf?”

“Is God punishing me?”

“Has God utterly and completely forgotten all about me?”

Anyone who says they never felt this way is a liar.

Anyone who never felt these things has been living in a dream.

There is a reason why Jesus spoke these words from the cross; there is a reason why we read them every Maundy Thursday.

They are the words of anybody who has ever lived.

But thankfully…they are not the last words.

Fortunately these words of despair do not have the final say, because while sorrow may last from verses 1-20, joy comes in verse 21.

The psalmist, in their lowest moment, cries out “Save me from the mouth of the lion!”

…and then, in the very next line says “From the horn of the wild oxen you have rescued me…”

Salvation comes to the person at hand.

We don’t know how, we don’t know when but the person experienced the presence of God, and after the trauma of his experience loosens its grip, he moves into all kinds of praise.

“I will tell your name; in the midst of everyone I will praise you.”

The praiser praises God by saying “My vow I will pay before everybody.”

With jubilant testimony, he states “God heard me when I cried.”

The psalmist is ecstatic. The psalmist offers praises with song, praises with promises, praises with vows.

You can just picture the person raising their hand, laughing out loud, shouting their song, and shining forth in such a way that no basket could have hidden his light.

There is something more to this psalm.

In the words of Kim, the head of our Word and Sacrament committee, the psalmist could clearly see the “Big Picture.”

They had experienced all the bad, they had experienced all the good, and now they know what their response will be:

To establish radical inclusiveness in which no one is left out of worshipping God.

The poor shall be fed.
Seekers shall find.
Families will praise God together.

What is even more amazing is how this person’s praise transcends all of time and every single life-

Those who are already dead will bow down.

Those who are yet to be born will learn the old, old story.

Though everyone past, present and future will eventually return to dust, as long as there is breath, we will all praise God’s holy and sacred name!

Last week we talked about what happens when water boils.

Are we like carrots, which turn to mush? Are we like eggs that harden their shell?

Or are we like coffee beans that flavor their environment?

Today we clearly witness coffee beans in the making.

Though life can be hard, though we may feel God is far away as far can be, we are reassured once again that-

No matter what the circumstances are, no matter what the situation may be,

God is present.
God is HERE.
God sees.
God acts.

God is worthy of our praise and admiration.

Amen and amen.