August 4, 2008
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John Calvin on the Book of Psalms:
… I have been accustomed to call this book, I think not inappropriately,
“An Anatomy of all the Parts of the Soul;” for there is not an emotion
of which any one can be conscious that is not here represented as in a
mirror. Or rather, the Holy Spirit has here drawn to the life all the
griefs, sorrows, fears, doubts, hopes, cares, perplexities, in short,
all the distracting emotions with which the minds of men are wont to be
agitated. The other parts of Scripture contain the commandments which
God enjoined his servants to announce to us. But here the prophets
themselves, seeing they are exhibited to us as speaking to God, and
laying open all their inmost thoughts and affections, call, or rather
draw, each of us to the examination of himself in particulars in order
that none of the many infirmities to which we are subject, and of the
many vices with which we abound, may remain concealed. It is certainly
a rare and singular advantage, when all lurking places are discovered,
and the heart is brought into the light, purged from that most baneful
infection, hypocrisy. In short, as calling upon God is one of the
principal means of securing our safety, and as a better and more
unerring rule for guiding us in this exercise cannot be found elsewhere
than in The Psalms, it follows, that in proportion to the proficiency
which a man shall have attained in understanding them, nill be his
knowledge of the most important part of celestial doctrine. Genuine and
earnest prayer proceeds first from a sense of our need, and next, from
faith in the promises of God. It is by perusing these inspired
compositions, that men will be most effectually awakened to a sense of
their maladies, and, at the same time, instructed in seeking remedies
for their cure. In a word, whatever may serve to encourage us when we
are about to pray to God, is taught us in this book. And not only are
the promises of God presented to us in it, but oftentimes there is
exhibited to us one standing, as it were, amidst the invitations of God
on the one hand, and the impediments of the flesh on the other, girding
and preparing himself for prayer:thus teaching us, if at any time we
are agitated with a variety of doubts, to resist and fight against
them, until the soul, freed and disentangled from all these
impediments, rise up to God; and not only so, but even when in the
midst of doubts, fears, and apprehensions, let us put forth our efforts
in prayer, until we experience some consolation which may calm and
bring contentment to our minds…”Isn’t that awesome?!!!
We are in Maryland. We came here for a 4 day worship conference. It was wonderful beyond anything I could express adequately. I learned so much — was so refreshed and washed with the Word!! Can’t wait to get home and share!!
While we were here we also did some sightseeing. We spend a couple of days in DC and also went to Gettysburg and Annapolis. Tomorrow we are going to Arlington Cemetery.
We fly out tomorrow evening. It has been so difficult to get adjusted to this time zone and now it’s time to leave it!!! I’ll be messed up for a few weeks I’m sure!
Well — I’ll post pictures when I get home, as well as update you with my highlights from the conference — which were many!
~Di
