Good Friday: April 14, 2006.Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16-25 John 18:1-19:42 Cupped Ear/Psalm Sounds In the stark and somber Good Friday Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance. liturgy, we listen to Jesus cry out from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken for·sake tr.v. for·sook , for·sak·en , for·sak·ing, for·sakes 1. To give up (something formerly held dear); renounce: forsook liquor. 2. me?" (v. 1). When the Gospel writers tell the passion story of Jesus, Psalm 22 is the narrative Old Testament thread that weaves it together. There are thirteen Old Testament references in the passion narratives: eight come from the psalms Psalms (sämz) or Psalter (sôl`tər), book of the Bible, a collection of 150 hymnic pieces. Since the last centuries B.C., this book has been the chief hymnal of Jews, and subsequently, of Christians. , and five of those come from Psalm 22. Most Christians recognize this psalm from its first words
First Words is a Canadian hip hop group, consisting of Halifax beatmaker Jorun, DJ STV and emcees Sean One & Above. , quoted by Jesus on the cross. This is unlike other psalms, where the hearer might identify with the psalmist psalm·ist n. A writer or composer of psalms. psalmist Noun a writer of psalms Noun 1. . Instead, Psalm 22 rings with the voice of Jesus, and we listen in the passion crowd. There are references throughout this psalm that coincide with Jesus' passion. Verse 7 is quoted in Mark 15:29 and Matthew 27:39; verse 8 in Matthew 27:43; verse 15 in John 19:28; and verse 18 in Mark 15:24, Matthew 27:35, Luke 23:34, and John 19:24. Psalm 22 is a prayer for help. Help is needed in three areas: God, others, and self. God's presence and care seem to be absent (vv. 1-2). Other people reject (vv. 6-8) and attack the psalmist (vv. 12-13; 16-16). Finally, there is the physical loss of strength and health (vv. 14-15) Hear the words beyond the first verse of Psalm 22. This psalm is a prayer for help in verses 1-21. However, Psalm 22 makes a radical shift from prayer to praise in verses 22-31. My guess is that most worshipers don't notice this. I wonder what they would hear in this radical change of mood. See my comments on the praise section of this psalm in the notes for the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Open Mouth/Psalm Speech Every Good Friday, as Psalm 22 is being read in a bare and dark sanctuary The subject of this article may not satisfy the notability guideline for Music. If you are familiar with the subject matter, please expand or rewrite the article to establish its notability. , I always remember that someone once said that Jesus died singing. The writer was referring to Jesus' quoting Psalm 22 on the cross. I find it hard to reconcile a singing Jesus on this day; yet it is a powerful metaphor for me. What do preachers preach on this day? Maybe the best preaching is to be quiet and let this psalm do the Holy Spirit's work. The whole Passion story is here; that is why the Gospel writers used it. But if you are to preach, then maybe a few words about how God does not abandon those who suffer but suffers with them and knows all about our dying. It's called Good Friday for a reason. DRB DRB Design Review Board DRB Development Review Board DRB Douay-Rheims Bible DRb Distributed Ruby DRB Dispute Resolution Board DRB Digital Radio Broadcasting DRB Defence Research Board (Canada) DRB Disciplinary Review Board |
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