Psalm 18:5-19 and Descriptive Imagery

In Psalm 18:5-19, David is describing in a vivid fashion the nature of God's deliverance in a specific circumstance.  Most likely, this was rescuing David from Saul, based on the ancient but not inspired title/description at the beginning of the Psalm. 

This passage raised a particular issue in my mind.  In the Psalms, or poetic sections of the Bible, often we don't let poetic imagery be just imagery.   One school of interpretation tends to seek for hidden meaning or symbolism.  Another tends to force passages like these into a newspaper-type description of a historical event, or at least wish it were.

So, I think we need to remember that it is possible and legitimate to portray God by means of descriptive language (Psalm 18:7-15) even in the context of a specific historical event: delivering David (Psalm 18:16-19).  Even David's explanation of how God rescued him is picturesque ("out of many waters", verse 16) without being literalistic (David was obviously not drowning in water, but overwhelmed by the opposition of his enemies).

To sum up, imagery is a valid and useful aspect of language.  We should not seek for hidden references to other parts of the Bible (assuming this passage somehow foretells an event in Revelation, though there are similarities), extract minute details from their context ("the cherub here represents..."), or tone down the imagery to make the section merely into a statement or list of facts ("David called on God who delivered him"). 

Truth can be portrayed in beautiful phrases as well as concise assertions.

Tasting Words

Job 12:11 is a fascinating verse.

Should We Have Worship Leaders?

In his book Worship Matters, Bob Kauflin argues that we should have worship leaders.   I've been reading his book off and on during the past month or so.  The first few chapters were thought-provoking and helpful in terms of what worship is and our attitude as we approach worship--specifically on Sundays, since giving God glory (worship) takes place outside of the church assembled.  But as he turns to the concept of worship leaders, I find his argument a little shaky.
From chapter 6, "What Does a Worship Leader Do?":

We can glean some important principles from Old Testament Levites....But we can't transfer everything they did then to what we do now.

A few paragraphs later:

Second, the most important worship leader is Jesus. He reveals God to us and through his perfect sacrifice provided the only way into the Father's presence (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:19-22). 

We can't do what only Jesus does.

And a little further on:

Humanly speaking, the pastor is the worship leader.  He is the one responsible before God for the corporate worship of the church (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

In light of these reasons, which are obviously not exhaustive, is there a biblically based role for a non-pastoral worship leader?  Kauflin seems to think so.  His argument appears to go something like, "There's not a lot of biblical precedent, but since we do this, here's how why should do it."  But on what basis?

It's hard to see how the role of "worship leader" flows out of biblical principles.  Especially when "worship leader" means the stereotypical guy (or girl) whose primary qualification is ability to play the guitar, rather than pastoral qualities or theological training.  Should such a person lead in a central aspect of the gathered church's Sunday activities?

Perhaps the problem is that the role of worship leader, like the function of Sunday School, is practiced from habit rather than biblical principle, and in the absence of biblical principles, almost anything goes.  We need to take a long, careful look at how we do worship, specifically the musical aspects, and who we designate to lead in those activities.

What Would You Do If You Had a Million Dollars?

You probably will.

Finding a Bargain: Idolatry or Time Well Spent?

Tim Challies has an excellent post on the subject of frugality here. 

I think he hits the main issues admirably. 

1) The heart motivation: Why am I pinching pennies or trying to be frugal?  Is it because I am constantly worried about never having enough?  Is it because I want to have more to meet both my own needs and those around me?  What is my goal?


2) The question of greed: This is related to our motivation. This one is more difficult and will vary in application, but what relevance does the principle of the gleaner have today?  God didn't want the farmers to pick up every last stalk of grain from their fields.  Do I take advantage of another person's financial distress?  Craigslist comes to mind; in some cases I know I could talk a person's price down on some item, but perhaps they do actually need the money.

3) The question of pride:  Again, this is related to motivation.  Why do I look for good deals?  So I can boast about them to someone else?  If so, I'm probably trying to be frugal for the wrong reasons.

4) The question of time: Can I better use this time elsewhere?  If God has given me enough to buy a particular item for $10, can I justify deal shopping to find it for $8?  How long will it take me to do that?

We must be wise stewards of the resources God has given to us.  At the same time, "finding a deal" can become a form of idolatry or an obsession that takes us away from time with our family or in serving those around us.  So we need to think about our motivations and how we spend our time.