BIBLE STUDY NIGHT # 3-10/4 PT # 1

" For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust"(vs 14)

Westermann reminds us : " God does not forget who we are and what we are". This wonderful ancient religious imagination was able to envision a transcendant deity who turns with loving forgiveness to "perishing human beings". Their Divine rather than disregarding the specks of dust beneath has compassion for their mortality and understands that there is only one hope for these creatures- connect your life- How? " " Praise, praise with all your being the eternal God for sending fatherly(sic) goodness into your life". The celebration of the human participation in the greater power represents the dialectic of human fraility juxtaposed with the great and good and steadfast love that is beyond us yet in us.

" But the steadfast love of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting
upon those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children( vs 17)

Westermann wants us to consider that the immensity of power unleashed in our age requires more than ever before the contemplation of the even more immense goodness that flows from the creative energy that stands behind LIFE ITSELF.." The call not to forget is what gives meaning and direction to the[ lives caught in] the chaotic structures of organization , achievement, and failure in which we live".

Westermann claims that Psalms are human responses. They represent our ancient ancestors cries... of joy... mourning...petition... cries for help and cries for forgiveness... Our ancient predecessors dreamt of an originator of Creation's wonders and continued to believe in that Prime Mover's Involvement and Perfecting of the Created World! He reminds us : " Whenever God acts, there must be a response of praise". What they meant by the acts of God is dependant on the interpretation of a contemporary community of faith. The possible range of interpretation for some is very broad- whenever goodness breaks into the usual experience - it can be a divine act. For others , the identification of God's acts requires those awe-inspiring events some call "miracles".