Good Day Everyone!! My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins and I am from Dayton, Ohio. I have been clean and sober for a very long time right now.
I remember when I was a little boy running the streets in Dayton, Ohio. I know that I was a young man, who had a lot of potential. I guess I was a person who had needs at that time. The 1970s were rough for me and my family. I attended two different schools.
The schools were Edison Elementary School and Franklin School in the East Side of Dayton, Ohio. Whereas, Edison Elementary School was located in the predominantly Black neighborhood.
Although the neighborhood was rough, I still fought every single day for nine years straight. Actually, the other kids chased me home. Do you know that my fair-weather friends only wanted money and nothing else? My life during that time was very difficult.
My personal message for someone who needs God; please do not give up on your quest for seeking a Personal Savior. No matter how other people treated me during that time, I attended Church and I tried my best to stay out of trouble. My life at that time was very stressful. My mother had given birth to nine children. She had six boys and three girls. My sisters used to fight me as well. My brother and sisters had different fathers. I know that stress used to be one of my primary reasons why I stayed sick all of the time.
Further, I would tell someone who needs God in their lives to be very serious about it. God does not want anyone who is joking all of the time. My life during that time was madness.
I would say to someone who needs God to read Romans 10th Chapter and Acts 2:38 and pray afterwards. I would suggest attending a Church inside of your neighborhood, or a Church of your choice. I know that people at Church can be sarcastic at first until later.
Moreover, I want to inform all of you that you should listen to God. He will not steer you wrong. I know that when I got older, I made some decisions that went against God. I started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana on a daily basis.
For years, I had become my best customer. My life was unmanageable until I officially found Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is my Personal Savior. God has already been by my side ever since I started utilizing Him in my personal life.
Finally, I want to say to someone who needs God to always trust your instincts. Never stop believing and trusting in Him. Please keep all of your family members in your prayers. Your family can be good, but it is You and Jesus Christ right now. Never quit!!
In Conclusion, I want to inform all of you that we should be running to God; instead of away from Him. My life is a lot better than it used to be. I am very happy to hear His Voice while I am reading the Holy Bible.
I am feeling much better since I have Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior. Please keep me and my family members in your prayers because we had a death in the family. We all need your prayers right now. God Bless All of You!!
Good Afternoon and God Bless You!! I want to inform all of you that I am taking a Biblical Approach when it comes to solving problems. I know that it is not very easy dealing with people. I want to inform all of you that God is watching and recording our behavior.
Next, when it comes to dealing with other people, we have to handle it in the same way that God did when it comes to other people. I remember when I used to be a very difficult person, my actual friends did not want anything to do with me personally. It is not very easy dealing with people, who behave in a way that is not conducive towards their own personal needs.
Further, I know that I still have a lot of growing up to do. I know that I have listen to music that is appropriate for God. I will admit that God is watching all of us from His Kingdom. I know that I have been hearing things that are not good at first. I will admit that I have been talking while I am sleeping. I know that both God and Satan talk to all of us at the same time. Satan tends to mimic God’s behavior. This is the reason why we have to start praying to God as well as reading His Word that comes from the Bible. We have to comply with God’s Word.
Moreover, I want to inform all of you that we have to be and act God Fearing all of the time. I know that God gives us our daily instructions while we are sleeping. This is according to Job 33:14-16. This is very serious because when we are sleeping, I know that God is talking to all of us in a way that is conducive towards our needs.
The third reality is that humans are broken and need restoration. Ephesians 4:12 tells church leaders to equip all believers for the work of Christian ministry. The Greek word used for equip [katartismos] had many meanings in the ancient world, but one meaning provides helpful parallels to evangelism. Katartismos was a medical term that emphasized the need to properly set a broken bone. Once healing occurred, the patient was physically restored to live for the purposes for which he or she was created. In a figurative application of katatismos, disciples recall their own spiritual brokenness, woundedness, and their healing, which helps them acquire the necessary empathy of and capacity to care for others. In sum, Box B declares that all people need God’s restoration—starting with non-believers who need redemption. We saints who need continuous rejuvenation portray the complementary side of discipleship.
Finally, I want to say that God is during His Miracles in my life. I remember when I used to suffer from night terrors because my step father used to abuse me when I was a child. I know that it is not very easy getting over these types of terrors. I know that I used to get chased home by other boys inside of my neighborhood when I was a little boy.
I really did not like going to school when I was a child because I used to get chased home all of the time. In Conclusion, I was very fond of my grandmother’s house. It was a safe haven from all of the neighborhood negative influences that were available at that time. I know that I had some good friends and bad ones as well.
I am very glad that I have a friend that I can always call on; whenever my mother and father was not available. I can call on the Lord Jesus Christ because He is always around whenever I need to talk to Him. I really love all of God’s Creation. Some of God’s Creation do not want you bothering them in any way. Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts because I have to take Metformin 500mg per day for diabetes. I have to eat something first before I end up taking the medicine. It can make a person sick if they do not eat anything with it.
I love all of you very much!! God Bless All of You!!
Andropause is the male version of menopause. For Instance, I have been going through these symptoms of Andropause for the past nine years now. The first thing that happens is that Men start losing their testosterone levels. In some cases, a man’s brain and testicles tend to shrink in size. For me personally, my testosterone levels have dropped 74 points in one year. Last year, my testosterone levels were 303 which is very low as well. This year, my testosterone levels dropped to a 229 level. If I continue to lose 74 points per year, I would have a testosterone levels of 155.
Next, I want to inform all of you that it is not very easy for me because I have been gaining weight during the past 14 years. It has been an up and down emotional rollercoaster as of late. I am losing Androgen levels inside of my body as we speak. I know that I am getting older right now.
Further, I am sleeping a whole lot lately. My life right now has been very slow. My motivation to get me up early in the morning has a lot to do with my energy levels right now. I weigh 292 pounds right now. I have been feeling sluggish during the past 14 years now.
Finally, I have to start taking care of myself better than usual. I have been doing things slow because I am sleeping a lot more than usual. I have to get this weight off immediately before I die from a heart attack. I have noticed that my muscle mass has dropped tremendously since 2010. Please keep me and my family members and friends in your prayers and thoughts because I have a death in the family right now.
In Conclusion, I have been walking around my apartment each day. I am having memory lapses and back pain right now. I have been having problems with my vision right now. Please pray for me because I am feeling very sick physically, Mentally and emotionally drained.
Lord Jesus, please teach me your ways and show me Your paths. Psalm 25:4-5 means that God is watching over all of us. God is teaching me your truth because You are My God and Saviour and Friend. You are my hope and I Love You very much. Lord Jesus, I thank You For being my Mediator between God and You. Lord Jesus, I thank You For Your understanding and presence.
Next, I Thank You for Your sense of Direction. Thank You For Your Breath of Life. I have been thinking about You all of the time. The weather might be a big factor in my personal life right now. I want to inform all of you that I am very happy to be honest and truthful with You. I am an analytical person. I am a person who is 58 years old now. I am a person who has a lot of common sense.
Further, I am a person who is highly educated and a God Fearing Man. Lord Jesus, I need to ask You a very important question. Do You think I am indecisive? A God Fearing Woman told me to my face that I am very indecisive, but very intelligent. I am thrilled to be honest and truthful with You. It has not been easy being me today. I tend to get caught up in rhetoric and issues that affect me. Lord Jesus, I have been feeling sluggish and tired physically and mentally. I really need Your Help dealing with my sense of indecision.
In Addition, I am very happy that you are showing me Your Ways and Paths. I am still learning about myself. I have a huge heart for helping other people. There is a person who is in need of prayers and financial aid. I am asking You for help right now. I have two people that I know that need Your Help. You know who they are exactly. You also know what my needs are before I ask You for anything.
Moreover, I want to inform all of you that God is always watching over all of us. We are inside of His Hands. I know that I am very happy to be clean and sober for 33 years now. I want all of you to know that I am praying for all of you. I am trying to lose weight and exercise daily. I have to stop going off on a tangent at times. Your Path is a path to righteousness. I have been feeling sleepy and I do not have any energy to do certain things. Your Truth is what I am seeking. Your Love is something that I cherish inside of my heart. This Psalm gives me an opportunity to apologize for all of my actions. My life is unmanageable at this time. I know that life itself is what I am making of it. I am being optimistic about my future right now. I am repenting of all of my sins, iniquities and transgressions.
Finally, I want You O Lord Jesus to literally teach me how to become humble and truthful with everyone. You are my Salvation right now. Whom shall I fear. You are my everything. Lord Jesus, I will always admire You and Adore You. Thank You For giving me a new heart and a heart to reach out to other people who are in need of Your Presence. I submit myself to You and You I yield to everyday of my life. I am very sorry for not responding to those who need me. The people who need me are those who have bad intentions. I am very sorry for prejudging people in advance. I have given people money in the past. These are the same people who are in need of my service. I know that you are a presence that I have craved. I am very sorry for my transgressions. I need You to Please Keep Me and hold me with Your Hands. Lord God, I need You to help me to serve Your People. Thank You For Your Understanding and Your Help dealing with my own issues. I am very sorry for hurting myself and others who are calling for You.
Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?
As soon as I was born on Thursday June 24, 1965. My mother had given birth to me and my father was not around. I was living with my grandparents until I was nine years old. My grandparents took me to Church at Bethel Church of God in Christ in Dayton, Ohio. I got baptized when I was six months old. I have felt loved at my Grandma’s House. As soon as I went to my mother’s house, my stepfather tried to kill me by putting my face and body inside of a hot stove. I was born at 7:30pm at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Dayton Ohio. I was born three months after Malcom X got killed in Harlem, New York. Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21 1965. This is the reason why I had to stay at my grandparents house because it was the safest place for me. My mother lived near a Bar Called Four Aces Bar in West Dayton, Ohio. God had to save me a whole lot because my friends used to be in Street Gangs in the Dayton Ohio Area. The Lord God removed me from all of the gang infested neighborhoods. I have not been involved in Street Gangs in 34 years now. Thank You Lord Jesus for saving me from all of the bad culture.
Psalm 33:15 says: He fashioned all of their hearts individually, He understands all of their works. This means that God made all of us and He fills our hearts with understanding. The Lord God knows everything that we do in our lives. He knows our thoughts and feelings. The Lord God knows what we are capable of doing for ourselves. The Lord God knows exactly how long we are going to live on Planet Earth.
Next, I want to inform all of you that God looks down from heaven at all of us. The Lord God directs our lives from the heavenly places. The Lord God knows what kind of person we are going to become; long before we are born. The Lord God is always looking at all of us. The Lord God even knew how long it would take for me to graduate from High School and College. The Lord God knew how long I am clean and sober. I have to get clarification from my AA Sponsor on how long I am clean and sober right now. It seems like my past is coming back to haunt me. There are a lot of things that only God knows about when it comes to my overall behavior.
Moreover, I want to say that God knows me better than I know myself. This is the reason why it will take God to solve all of my problems. I really cannot tell another person what to do unless they are my child. I really appreciate what God has done for me. I appreciate His Breath of Life and His understanding. I know that I have been feeling sluggish and depressed as of late. I really cannot compare my life to other people. This is because I have the same problems that other people tend to have. My life right now is filled with unanswered questions. I also have Ups and Downs just like everyone else. Therefore I am only a Work in Progress. I am also a vapor that only lasts for a little while then it vanishes away.
Finally, I want to inform all of you that I am making progress day by day. I really feel that God has all of the answers and solutions to all of our problems. Man cannot change me nor solve all of my problems. I am only a spirit that is here for a while. I have God’s Breath of Life right inside of me. I know that I cannot do anything for myself unless God approves it. I know that man, woman, and child cannot tell me what to do. They can advise and consent. This is the only thing that another person can do for me right now. All of my personal problems are based on my own attrition. The word attrition means efforts that are applied towards the advancement of human behavior. This is also a choice on my part. Life itself is really what you make of it.
My personal beginning started at birth. On Thursday June 24, 1965 at 7:30PM. St. Elizabeth Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. I want to inform all of you that my mother was 21 years old during that time. My father’s information is not available. The only thing that I can say is that I was created through a one night stand.
Next, I remember when my mother told me that my father was older than her. I supposed that my existence came all of a sudden. I was born in Dayton, Ohio. I remember during that time that Dayton, Ohio was very popular when it came to music. Although Detroit, Michigan had Motown Records. I remember when my mother used to take me to church all of the time.
Further, I also recall spending a lot of time with my grandmothers. I was blessed to see two grandmothers and two grandfathers. I was a blessed child. The church that I was a member of was Bethel Church of God in Christ, which was located on Germantown Street in Dayton, Ohio. I remember when my grandmother told me that I was baptized when I was six months old.
Moreover, it was very nice during that time because my grandparents were working full time at the Pine Club Restaurant; located on Brown Street in Dayton, Ohio. I recall going to work with my grandmother for a few years. I want to inform all of you that I was a year old during that time when my Great Grandmother used to take me to church with her. I met all of the Deacons of the church as well as the Pastor at the church.
In Addition, I will admit that my first few years, I had spent at my grandmother’s house in West Dayton, Ohio. My grandmother lived inside of a very quiet neighborhood. My grandmother was always working just to pay the bills inside of the house. The first seven years of my life consisted of spending time with my cousins and aunt. My aunt worked during that time as well.
Also, my elders of the house were always busy. The 1970s were very interesting to all of those who used to have a musical talent. My family was small at that time. This is also the time I used to get into fist fights with other kids my age. I guess they used to pick on me because I was a very small young man during that time.
However, there were times when I used to run away from home. There were children that picked on me because I was smaller than they were. There were kids in my age group that were larger than me. I want to say that; the first seven years were very nice.
Edison Elementary School in Dayton, Ohio’s West Dayton was a very large school. I remember when I was 4 years old, I was in the Pre- Kindergarten, and I had teachers who could not handle me because I was very hyperactive during that time. One thing that my grandparents used to do; was take me to church with them. I recall having teachers who were very understanding towards all of us. I know that my mother had other children by her husband.
Edison Elementary School was located on 228 North Broadway Avenue in Dayton, Ohio 45407. I knew the address because my mother used to read to all of us as children. My grandparents used to read to me as well. I remember when my mother was gifted educationally because she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961. My mother used to help my Uncle with his homework, and he graduated from Dunbar High School in 1960.
My cousins were gifted in school. They were earning As and Bs in school. I remember earning all Cs in school. I know that I could not stand math in school. I did very well in other classes except math. My math teachers were very understanding and very genuine. I used to have problems doing algebra in school. I had a problem completing word problems as well.
As a result, I ended up earning all average grades in school. I do recall earning above average grades in Science and Social Studies. I had a lot of fun during that time. I did very well in English classes in school. I do recall attending Summer School when I was in the 4th grade and 7th grade.
Yet, I still had problems dealing with word problems in math. I read everything the proper way, but I still got the answers wrong on the test. My sisters were very intelligent in school. The 1970s were challenging for me because I had to transfer to a school that was 8 miles from me in 1977.
They started sending African American children to schools inside of European American neighborhoods in 1976. It was not very easy because I remember getting called names because of my color of my skin during that time. After all, I got along well with everyone except for a few students, who lived across the bridge from me. I do remember going to the neighborhood laundry mat, which was located on Riverview and Williams Street in Dayton, Ohio. It was less than a half a mile from my grandmother’s house.
At the same time, I was very nervous going inside of that neighborhood because of the street gangs that we had in the city of Dayton, Ohio during that time. I am not going to mention the gangs that were inside of the neighborhood because these street gangs are advanced in their own technology.
Praise The Lord Saints!! Praise The Lord!! How are you doing today? Fine, I hope. I want to ask everyone a very important question. The question is: How can we become doers of the word?
The answer to this question is simple. We have to have both a behavioral change as well as a spiritual change within ourselves. I know for me personally, I have changed a whole lot behaviorally and spiritually right now. For example, I do not use any vulgarity anymore. An example of this is in Proverbs 15:1 says: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up strife. This is my model Bible verse because it enables me to actually think before I act on all things.
Next, I want to ask how we can become doers of the word. First, we need to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ. I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior. How can we all do this; is by confessing our sins to Jesus Christ. I know that I am only a Work in Progress.
What is a Work in Progress? A work in progress is an unfinished project that is still being added to or developed. “The book itself is still a work in progress” (in accounting) the total value of the materials and labor for unfinished projects. “The board had estimated the value of its work in progress”. What does it mean to be a work in progress?
Work in Progress. Being a work in progress is a wonderful thing. It means you are never “finished” which means that you always have the chance to improve yourself and become something and someone better than who you are already.
Further, I want to inform all of you that my life has changed for the better because it enables me to imitate Jesus Christ. I also have to read His Word and share the Gospel of Peace with everyone. I also help others as well. I have always helped others by sharing with them the things that Jesus Christ has done for me.
I also give things away that I do not need. I humble myself each day of the week by being honest as a person. I demonstrate how to become a doer of the word by my actions. I feel at this time that listening to worship music and church sermons have enabled me to be a doer of the word. I know that it is a whole lot more to it than that in order to become a doer of the word.
Moreover, a doer of the word is a person who lives according to the Word of God. I have come so far in my life by improving my relationships with other people. I know that my life has changed because I wanted to make some positive changes in my life. God likes it when we can keep a very good attitude about life, our relationship with Jesus Christ, and connecting with others in a positive manner.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” –James 1:21-25
1. Prepare your heart and be open.
It’s so easy to get into the daily Bible grind and never, once, truly pounce on what we’re learning or reading: get up, pour a cappuccino (or three), personal devotional of fifteen minutes, write down some thoughts, put Bible on shelf, carry on with the morning . . . is this really what we limit ourselves and God to? Are we missing out on multiple opportunities because we haven’t prepared our hearts to be open and receptive? Shy away from a daily spiritual grind, seek God for opportunities to become a doer and invest in the lives of those around you.
2. Be willing and available.
Part of extending your hands in compassion and love is actually having a willing heart. Unfortunately, having a heart willing for love and sharing the Gospel isn’t just an “on/off” switch. It has to be transformed and cultivated by the same Gospel. If you are serious about becoming a doer and an action man/woman, pray for a willing heart.
We all know that person, or perhaps we are that person, who has great intentions of ministering to others, but is far too busy with a complex schedule to be available. There could be any number of reasons for a lack of availability, but I think we’re all thankful that Jesus didn’t turn away the paralyzed or the ill because of a conflicting schedule or a lack of availability.
Such an attitude might have caused trauma to His ministry—so if you’re serious about Christ and your serious about acting upon your faith—make yourself available. Reach out and mean it—don’t just say it. If you offer to meet a struggling peer for coffee to talk, do it. If you see someone in need, address the problem or find the right person to address the problem (i.e. pastor, carpenter, doctor).
3. Prepare to be uncomfortable.
Just know that being a doer can be difficult, confusing, unpleasant, and uncomfortable. It can mean getting messy, seeing the side of people that is unpleasant, experiencing sadness, seeing the dirt and the sins of humanity, and become all too aware of our personal shortcomings. I’ll never forget the first time I went to Haiti on a missions trip, I was never more aware of my ever growing list of shortcomings. Often, while doing Kingdom work our capacity of comfort, faith, and humility are tested—it’s like a game of Survivor with an eternal focus. We have to become prepared to be uncomfortable in some shape or form, but not allow it to deter us from carrying on in faith. However, there are great joys and luminous revelations while being a doer, but we must be prepared to hold out for those moments while in the midst of being uncomfortable.
4. Don’t wait.
Being doers can mean traveling across the globe to extend compassion and the love of Jesus or it can mean traveling to your backyard to the neighbor who is battling cancer. It’s not about the distance, it’s about the Message. Location isn’t relative, the issue at hand is that we are demonstrating compassion and spreading the Gospel. We’re called to share Christ’s love and we’re called to glorify Him (Matthew 28:19). We’re called to care. We’re called to protect, defend, and care for the defenseless, the poor, and the abandoned. It doesn’t matter where.
Demonstrating love and compassion can be done right now—the opportunities are limitless. We live in a world of darkness, just take a look around and be stunned by the abundant opportunities that await you.
Being a doer starts in the home. It starts in the work place. It starts in the Church. It starts with relationships. It starts with the grumpy neighbor, disgruntled cashier, or the unpleasant individual who just stole my parking spot (while I had my blinker on, I might add!). It starts here. Compassion starts now. If we think that we have to travel overseas to extend compassion or love, I’m afraid that we’re missing out multiple opportunities that are staring us right smack in the face.
People are people. We all need the same thing, we all need Jesus desperately. You can make a difference here, and you can make a difference there. It’s not really relative to where you are geographically, God’s love and compassion needs to be spread just as much in Baltimore City as it does in India. His love needs to be spread in a nursing home just as much as it does in an orphanage. Don’t wait for an opportunity, just because you don’t think it’s the opportunity you would choose. Don’t become discouraged when you feel like your impact isn’t as great as you would hope—it’s not about us. It’s about Him. Don’t waste an opportunity to become a doer out of pride—take a leap of faith.
5. Listen and love.
Be a hearer and a doer. It’s far easier said than done, but it’s a goal worth aiming for. Many of the people I know have come to Christ from visually seeing the works of Christians in action. We can talk all day long using Christianese and spiritual terms, but until there is evidence in our lives that we mean what we say, we might find we have trouble connecting with others in an effective manner. Become amazed at how God can work in your life when you give Him a heart ready for action.
For around a hundred years, “form criticism” has provided the dominant approach to interpreting the psalms.
In this approach, the first step is to identify the “form” (German: Gattung) of a psalm. The belief here is that a crucial step — indeed, an essential step — in the task in interpreting a piece of literature is the task of understanding its form, its shape, its genre. The “form” provides the literary context for making sense of the words. The “form” of the piece of literature then helps you understand what the smaller phrases and words mean in context.
This makes perfect sense. And most of us do this many times every day. Some examples.
When you read a recipe for sugar cookies, you automatically register the literary form as “recipe” and you treat it as such. When the recipe says “a pinch of salt” you know that it is literal and prescriptive: it tells you what to do. You are to reach into the salt cellar, pinch your thumb and finger around some sea salt (you only use sea salt, because you have class), and throw it into the mixing bowl.
When you read an obituary, you register it as such and contextualize the words and dates as about a deceased person. If the obituary describes a man as having had “a pinch of salt,” you know that this word is metaphorical and descriptive: it tells you who the man was. He had an edge to his personality.
Literary genres are important. They are patterns of language. They signal intention and they create literary expectations. And most of the time — as long as the reader has a sufficient degree of cultural literacy — literary genres make the task of human communication easier.
The trouble, however, is that sometimes genres don’t work as well as others. Sometimes, the urge to categorize, apply labels, arrange things in drawers, line them up neatly, just doesn’t work that well.
Consider Psalm 32.
If you know a bit about the forms of the psalms, you probably are familiar with the following psalm genres:
Prayers for Help (also called Lament psalms)
Praise Psalms *(also called Hymns)
Thanksgiving Psalms
Trust Psalms
Royal Psalms
Wisdom Psalms
Creation Psalms
Historical Psalms
If you know a lot about psalms, you might be even know about:
Imprecatory Psalms
Psalms of Innocence
Penitential Psalms
Torah Psalms
Enthronement Psalms
Dirges
Songs of Zion
Acrostic Psalms
Festival Psalms
And the ever-dreaded “Mixed-Type Psalm” (sort of the adolescent, middle child of the Psalter)
But if you read Psalm 32, you are going to get mixed signals.
Is this a wisdom psalm? Verses 1-2, 8-10 sound a lot like wisdom:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
Is this a prayer for help? Verse 5b sounds like it:
“I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them
But other verses sound like a song of thanksgiving. See verses 3-5a:
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
But verse 7 sounds like a Psalm of Trust:
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
And verse 11 sounds like a Praise Psalm:
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
And as if that isn’t enough, the Western Church has defined Psalm 32 as one of several penitential psalms because of the psalm’s emphasis on confessing one’s transgressions to the Lord and on the forgiveness of the Lord.
Good grief! Is this a thanksgiving psalm, a lament/prayer for help, a trust psalm, a penitential psalm, a wisdom psalm, or a praise psalm?
The great German father of form criticism, Hermann Gunkel, labeled Psalm 32 an individual psalm of thanksgiving with wisdom elements — but not as a penitential psalm.1 Beth Tanner describes the psalm more accurately as a “celebration of forgiveness.”2 Tanner’s title, while not one of the formal categories, is to be preferred.
Psalm 32 is a poem. It celebrates the joy of one who has personally experienced the forgiveness of God. The ancient poet who reached for language to give voice to this joy found it necessary — or, at least, suitable — to borrow language from many different categories of Israelite theology: wisdom, prayer, thanksgiving, praise, penitential thought, and trust. For this reason, the psalm moves a bit awkwardly from phrase to phrase:
sometimes addressing God (“your hand was heavy upon me,” “let all who are faithful offer prayer to you,” etc.)
sometimes addressing what seems to be a distant, literary audience (“happy are those to whose transgression is forgiven”)
at one point remembering words that were addressed to the self (“I said [to myself], ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’”)
later speaking words of advice (“do not be like horse or mule, without understanding”)
and at the finale speaking a call to praise as if to a community that has gathered for worship (“be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous!).
As such, the poem may seem slightly awkward, perhaps even, dare one say, derivative — its lines seemingly cobbled together from the leftover phrases of other poems.
But this is not a poetic weakness, but an artistic strength. Psalm 32 is like that impromptu feast that a grandma serves when a beloved grandchild shows up unannounced. She rifles through the fridge, the cupboards, and the breadbox and pulls together a feast of favorite morsels. Or, as Beth Tanner has it, a celebration of forgiveness.
The theology of forgiveness — especially the Christian, Pauline doctrine of forgiveness — is certainly well known to Working Preacher audiences. There is no need to go into it at length here. But two quick words are worth saying.
First, there is grace and forgiveness in the Old Testament. Some Christians may have been raised on the false diet from the mistaken Old-Testament-equals-law-and-judgment while the New-Testament-equals-grace-and-forgiveness theological table. So it may be good to signal that the theological underpinning of the biblical doctrine of forgiveness is the character of God. And as the Old Testament repeatedly says, the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.
Second, there is a role for the community here. The forgiven sinner culminates this poem by calling the community to rejoice. Rejoice! For one a sinner has found forgiveness!
That is a very counter-cultural notion. Our culture doesn’t celebrate forgiveness. We revel in Schadenfreude — enjoying the punishment of others. When some is forgiven or gets away with something, we grind our teeth.
The psalm reminds us that we have a role to play when someone is forgiven. We are to rejoice! To take joy in the new life of the pardoned! In such a way we welcome back one who had been lost to us.
The Christian community is to be a foretaste of heaven. And remember that Jesus said there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 who never went astray (see Luke 15). So that’s our communal job when someone is forgiven. Rejoice! Happy is the one — and the community of that one — whose transgression is forgiven.
Notes:
1 Herman Gunkel, Einleitung in die Psalmen, pp. 135 and 21.
2 From Beth Tanner’s introduction to Psalm 32 in an unpublished manuscript of a psalms commentary to be published in 2014 (NICOT; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).
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