Psalm 90 – a reverence for the reality
Psalm 90 begins with an affirmation about the presence of God across time. In Hebrew the word ‘refuge’ can be translated as ‘dwelling place’.
The composer graphically uses mountains to reinforce the eternal nature of God as do the words from verse 4,
For, in your sight, a thousand years are like a night watch or a single day.
God is not a presence that is here today but gone tomorrow although the composer identifies, later v 7-12, with the worshippers and their suffering…
Derek is an Honorary Associate Priest (All Saints & St James and St Stephen’s, Elton) Prior to his ordination he was accredited as a Methodist Preacher in 1968 and served within the Methodist Church until returning to the Anglican Church in the mid 1980’s
Western Alps, Grenoble at 7500 feet above sea level. Dktue – Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
As we get older we often have times when our bodies tell us to slowdown. Spiritually we need such times so we can bring the story of our faith journey alive.
My security rests in you, O God; let me never be put to shame. By your saving power deliver me, hear me and keep me safe.
Be a rock of refuge for me to which I can always come.
Keep me safe from the power of the wicked, from the grasp of the cruel and unjust.
As long as I can remember, I have put my trust in you.
I have leaned on you since birth, when you brought me out of the womb.
Keep close when my energy fails me as I spend my last years on earth. Let me wait in constant hope and praise you again and again.
Photographs A shallow cave/rock shelter on Giv’at Ha-Izim (Hebrew: western slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. Onzd – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Imagine you are listening to psalm being sung, the words ring out.
Why am I sunk in deep misery? Why am I lost and distressed?
There is a pause and a slight change in the inflection and tone, and you hear.
I shall put my hope in God, in the One who is my deliverer
IMAGE Flash flood in Ein Avdat, Negev, Israel, March 16, 2007. Gideon Pisanty (Gidip) גדעון פיזנטי – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Psalm 69 has 36 verses most of the verses are a plaintive cry for help for such was the gravity of the situation.
Psalm 69: 1-6
Save me, O God. Have mercy
for the water has risen to my neck. Sunk in the muddy quagmire
I can barely stand.
I am worn out with weeping, my throat is parched and sore. Even my eyes grow weary,
as I wait for you.
“S” of Salvum me, Save me, the opening words of Psalm 69
It is widely believed to be the Biblia Magna (“Big” or “Great Bible”) of Henry IV, bequeathed in his will to his son and successor Henry V.
School of Herman Scheerre, Cologne – Public domain
Revd Derek Akker writes…
I hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations went well.
Here are some thoughts for Epiphany .
Firstly, some words from an Epiphany Carol
I sought him dressed in finest clothes,
where money talks and status grows;
but power and wealth he never chose:
it seems he lived in poverty.
And so, distinct from all we’d planned,
among the poorest of the land,
we did what few might understand:
we touched God in a baby’s hand.
(Iona Community)
God bless and the best of wishes for 2026, hoping for a more peaceful year where justice reigns.
Fr Derek
Click here to read the Psalm 72 Epiphany Reflection
Adoration of the Magi”, painted about 1604 in India Tim Evanson Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
Rievaulx Abbey, a reflection for Advent 1
In late September 2025 we visited North Yorkshire, our visit followed several days of heavy rain the effected much of northern England. We were fortunate to have warm dry weather, although the ground around Rievaulx Abbey was rather soft.
I had wanted to visit Rievaulx for a while and it was worth the wait. Most of the photographs were taken by Sue or me…
To continue reading this Advent Reflection, click here Rievaulx Abbey Reflection pr,
Psalm 23 has been described as a universal Psalm, the pearl of Psalms, a Psalm for all seasons. I warm to the opening words of the psalm from the Iona Community Daily Worship Book:
You God, are my shepherd; I need nothing more.
But of course, they are not the words we know the best. I imagine many of us were introduced to Psalm 23 through the version sung to Crimond.
The Psalmist in his own poetic style offers words of praise to God. He has almost put the creation story of Genesis 1 into song. We have light and the heavens, wind and water, vegetation, birds and animals and wine to cheer our spirits. The psalm deserves to be read slowly taking in the words of the psalmist and those who have interpreted the ancient texts.
My soul, bless God our maker.
God, you are magnificent, clothed with glory
and majesty, wrapped in a cloak of light.
You stretch out the skies like a tent,
your home is beyond the heavens, the clouds provide your chariot.
You ride on the wings of the wind.
Breezes and gales are your messengers, fire and flames your attendants.
You set the earth on foundations, so firm it will never be shaken.
You clothed the earth with seas; their waters covered the mountains.
This psalm starts with a reverence, a breath taking recognition glorious majesty and beauty of God. Through the writer, we are taken to an enchanted place, verse by verse there are pointers to the divine love that created a place of beauty and grandeur.
To continue reading Intro 2 – Psalms Reflection
What was in the mind of the psalmist when he penned this psalm? In the space of a few words, he elevates the place of children’s words of praise in the scheme of things.
God, our God,
How glorious is your name in all the earth;
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
The praise on the lips of babies and children silence those who oppose you.
Also, a little later he asks the question ‘what are humans that you (God) should remember them, what are humans that you should remember them.’ He answers this question with ‘You have appointed us guardians of creation and put all things under our care.’
When I look at the sky which your fingers made, at the moon and stars you set in place,
what are humans that you should remember them,
mere mortals that you make time for them.
Yet you have made us in your own image and crowned us with glory and honour.
You have appointed us guardians of creation and put all things under our care
Click here to continue reading Psalm 8 Reflection
Moon, stars, tree and reflection
Bessi – Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Don’t be anxious because of the wicked, don’t envy those who do wrong.
They will wither as quickly as grass, And fade like flowers of the field.
Trust in God and do good;
Settle down be at peace.
Let God be your deep delight and give you your heart’s desire.
Give your life over to God
who will bring out the best in you. Your integrity will be clear
and as bright as the noonday sun.
Psalm 37 is the 8th longest Psalm, with 40 verses. Today our reflection focuses on the first 11 verses and follows the Iona Abbey Worship Book psalm reading for the Monday in week 2 of its 6 week cycle.
To continue reading click here Psalm 37 Reflection
Photographs
Moel-y-Gaer, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Clwydian Hills, Wales
Llywelyn2000 – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Still Pond and the bloom of azaleas, Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London
Diliff – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0