Psalm 34

Three nights ago, I was rather tired and frustrated over a number of things. That night, as I lay in bed, I talked to God about it. The next morning, when I woke up, the thought came that I should read Psalm 34. It was the Lord.
One funny thing is that I thought I already had an idea of which psalm it was (I didn't). Another funny thing is that Psalm 34 is not one of my favorites - I've read it before, and it's cool, and I recognize most parts of it from different songs, but it didn't always really stick out. Another funny thing is that it's not like I just chose it based on a random reason like my favorite number (who has "34" their favorite number? It's kind of weird. But if it's yours, then... :D ).
Anyway, I looked it up, and read it through. I read it again this morning. It even seems easier to memorize (well, I decided to work on 3 verses a day). So far, I'm at verses 1-6:

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continously be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all of my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all of his troubles.

This morning was particularly exciting. I was reading the last three verses above. The first and the third could conceivably be talking about the speaker, but the second? Confusing. I was like, "Well, but, Lord, who is "they"?"

Then it hit me - this psalm is about personal stories!! Or, as my mom corrected me once, "testimonies". It's a testimony psalm.

(The reason I used "personal stories" is because "testimony" seems more formal (almost like an amen corner) and less specific, whereas "personal stories" reminds me of people sharing something specific that the Lord did for them, like on the 700 club or something.)

The thing that makes it neat is that I realized that the verses weren't just abstract or all about David (or whoever the psalmist was). Here's and exerpt from my new mental picture (for storytelling's sake, I'll give hypothetical names to some of his comrades):

David strode to the peak of the rock, a smile creasing his face from ear to ear as he looked over the gathered crowd. He held up his hands, and silence fell.
"I will bless the Lord at all times," he began, "and I'll praise Him continually." He paced thoughtfully.
"My soul boasts in the Lord," he continued. "The humble will be glad to hear that." A low chuckle swept the crowd.
"Magnify the the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" he urged. A loud, joyful roar went up from the crowd.
Pointing to himself, David shouted over the noise. "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears!" He pointed to a group of women at the edge. "They looked unto him, and their burdens were lifted! Do they look ashamed?" He motioned to Abinadab, who ran up to join him. "This poor man cried," David said, slapping him heartily on the back,"and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." Abinadab nodded vigorously and clapped as David stepped back to the forefront. "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them!" The cheers grew even louder as men raised fists and women waved colorful streamers in the air.

So, I'll keep working memorizing on the rest of the psalm, which is also cool, because it continues to address each of the issues that David and the people he referred to faced: fears, heavy burdens, and lack of resources. And the Lord delivered them from all of it.

I like this Psalm now. :)

Pictures

This is for all of the people to whom I have promised pictures that never got sent (I recently uncovered a number of blank envelopes full of pictures, which were originally en route to be addressed and mailed t0 you :( My apologies!). I have attached some below! This is a little of Oakland, some of Berkeley, and a little of Orinda! Includes: the hills of Orinda, me and Paul at The Original diner, my plant that survived from my housewarming present, balloon maker in San Francisco at the Pier, my office, flagpost on campus, my apartment, the Berkeley Marina (from Passover/Resurrection Day weekend and my Birthday celebration), campus again, Bongo Burger :), and Lake Merritt (around the time of my brief stint as a defender of the public, aka jury duty) .

Love Dani :)

Violin Recital!

Welcome to GeMüTlIcH, my personal blog page! I felt that this would be easier to maintain than a website just now.

Today, I wanted to share videos of my violin recital! (I tried to email this to everyone last week, but somehow it failed to deliver to anyone. I *hope* that hasn't happened before...)

The second video is a little longer than the first. The first is a duet of "Simple Gifts" with my violin instructor, Sister L. McBride. In the second, I'm singing the lyrics to a song called "You Alone" (will include the lyrics below) before playing it solo on the violin.
Enjoy! Love Dani




"You Alone" (Daryl Black)

Lord we are honored
To stand in Your presence
This very hour
Before Your goodness
And all Your glory
Your wonder and Power
So let every nation sing
To the Father of everything
My Creator and King
There is none like You

You alone are worthy
You alone are righteous
You alone are holy
You alone are God

Lord we adore You
For all Your mercy
And all Your grace
We stand in Your presence
With hearts of worship
Seeking Your face
So let every nation sing
To the Father of everything
My Creator and King
There is none like You