Sometimes the symbols of our liberation reach across time to give us hope when despair seems to be all there is. Sometimes that symbol is a tree.
Psalm 52 is situated in a historical moment of political betrayal which becomes a promise of release and repair. David, young rebel, not yet king, already a poet, is on the run from King Saul, as one of his so-called friends turns out to be a traitor.
The narrative is more complex but what’s essential here is the human hope that despite the unspeakable acts of terror that people and nations inflict on each other -- there is hope that justice will prevail. This is the stubborn hope that must persist through times of terror. The one who overcomes the years of tyranny and the betrayal of others is imagined here as an olive tree, resilient, planted in the house of the divine, rooted in trust, feeding the forever faith in friends that truly do show up:
וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ כְּזַ֣יִת רַ֭עֲנָן בְּבֵ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים בָּטַ֥חְתִּי בְחֶסֶד־אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים עוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃
But I am like a thriving olive tree in God’s house;
I trust in the faithfulness of God forever and ever.
Ps. 52:10
On this day we mark Juneteenth, the official American day in commemoration of the auspicious date in 1865 that marked the end of African-American slavery.
Several years ago, Rebeccah S’manga Frank, a friend, teacher and wonderful artist I’ve had the privilege of co-creating art with and continue to do so - wrote a special psalm for this day
Rebecca’s extraordinary voice fuses her identities as a Black American Jew descendant from the Kingdom of Eswatini and Eastern Europe. She wrote of this psalm composed for the Be’chol Lashon’s Liturgy in 2021:
“As I imagine (the way I do as an artist), what freedom meant in 1865 in Galveston, while simultaneously reflecting on what it means to me today, I invite you to celebrate the freedom, brilliance, and resilience of Black people. And I invite you to celebrate and participate in the dismantling of white supremacy today and everyday.”
A Psalm for Juneteenth
Juneteenth 2021
“Clap your hands, all you nations
Shout to God with cries of joy
Black is Queen!
Black is King!
Black is Free!
Black is Free.
Why is this day different from all other days?
On this day the message of freedom was no longer delayed
Galveston, Texas 1865, and Today
May I carry the message of freedom
May I receive the message of freedom
May I stretch my arms wide, breathing deeply
May a gust of wind blow boundless through my mind
May I remember forgotten dreams
May tears escape from my eyes and evaporate skillfully on my cheek
May joyful shouts escape from my mouth as freely as birds fly into pink sky over salty water
May I lull myself and others into a peaceful sway by singing:
Oh Beautiful, Willow Weep For Me, The Sweetest Sound, Go Tell It On The Mountain of This Little Light of Mine…
May our teeth shine as we smile at one another
May we cook, may we potluck together, giving thanks to the God in each of us
On this day we eat soul food, infused with the spirit of freedom
On this day we relax in the spirit of freedom
On this day we dance in the spirit of freedom
On this day we laugh in the spirit of freedom
On this day we tell the story in the spirit of freedom, we spread the news!
And as we clasp hands, all you nations
Our palms transmit an inner whisper
No words of false equivalency are shared
Only the inner language of God
Heard in silence:
Freedom.”
Today we honor the struggles and hope that helped break those chains and know that there is so much more work to do - in this country, and around the world, to fight for freedom, justice, equity and dignity - for all. The olive tree reminds us of its role as the sign of peace, the patient and persistent demand for better days -in Palestine and Israel, everywhere where trees grows alongside people and poets who know that it’s on us to not lose hope, to resist and to persist, like trees, in nourishing the sacred.
Who Wrote These Psalms??
Our Monthly Zoom Session on 6/20 (rescheduled)
If it wasn’t King David who wrote the Psalms, despite popular religious lore, and according to most reliable scholarship - then who are the authors of these poets of piety and protest? Did they leave us some important information to decode as we struggle with our personal and public problems?
Clues are everywhere.
Join me on June 20th for our monthly Zoom conversation Below the Bible Belt - and find out more about the authors and how these ancient hymns may be helpful to us during this difficult time in the world, and as we each face challenges and celebrate life’s blessings.
Whether you are new to this journey or have been on it for a while - please join us on June 20th 2024, 5pm ET and please bring your questions, comments, responses and reflections on the PSLAMS so far.
Here’s the link to the next Below the Bible Belt Zoom Live Conversation:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88915392821
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Let there be healing, and may peace prevail.
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