Psalm 15 - Measuring Up
There’s a really fun thing painted on a downspout on the side of a laundromat near our house. It faces our local middle school and is next to a an outdoor mural depicting the commitment to education in our community. The downspout is painted line a combination of a pencil and a ruler. But the ruler isn’t just inches or centimeters but instead in feet. Essentially I think the idea was that parents would photograph their kids on the first day of school next to it. Well, today was Scout’s turn.
As always, the ever-patient, ever-photogenic doggo. I am sure I got some looks from people driving by - “he’s photographing his dog there?” I’m used to it.
Psalm 15 feels like a Psalm about measuring up. Not in height or a physical characteristic but instead in integrity.
The Psalm opens with two questions - O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
It then goes onto answer that with a list of characteristics that are pretty darn humbling to read because if I’m fully honest, I’ve broken all of these at some form or another with the exception that I don’t think I’ve ever taken a real bribe (does having someone add a pizza into a fantasy football trade count?). Here’s how the NRSV shares it (I actually prefer the NRSV version rather than Fischer’s in this case)
Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue
and do no evil to their friends
nor heap shame upon their neighbors;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised
but who honor those who fear the LORD;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
Fischer closes his translation with this... “The one who lives this way will never be shaken. ”
I read those words and I think of the way that Scout lives her life.
She tries her best to do what is right and there’s never a hint of dishonesty. We pretty much always know what she’s feeling.
She doesn’t slander others but is one of the kindest, gentlest, and most caring dogs I have known and pretty much wants to love on (and be loved by) everyone.
Yes she chases squirrels but I’m not sure she would know what to do with one if she caught it.
She stands by her humans no matter what. I remember one time in particular where she stood up to another person who she thought was threatening me - she wasn’t messing around.
She doesn’t have a bank account so no worries about the lending at interest.
I guess if she falls short on one of these things in the Psalm it is that she happily takes bribes...”will you come if I give you this piece of pulled pork?” She then will happily trot over.
As I read this list, I see that Scout measures up pretty well. But I also know that when I read this list, I see the ways that I sometimes do not. It is why I am grateful for the words that come much later in the Psalms - Psalm 130:3-4
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I’m grateful for grace and forgiveness becuase I know that too often I don’t measure up. But I’m also grateful for the fuzzy one in our lives who does measure up (and who is currently laying on my feet keeping them warm and toasty).
Grace, Peace, Love, and Joy,
Ed
