Thoughts on the Psalms
I recently came across an obscure English word that I had to look up: nemophilist. A nemophilist is a person who is fond of forests, woodland scenery, or spending time in the woods—literally, a “haunter of the woods.” That’s me to a large degree; I love to walk in forests and glades.
Well, walking in the woods might be a bit of a misnomer. Certainly, you can’t call what I do “hiking”. I will take a slow ramble through the woods, a saunter through the woods, a wander. The destination is typically secondary at best. I stop and look at fungi and flowers. I check out trees that have character and look for critters.
The forests are great. For me, they calm my mind and let me think of God without distraction. I see His hand at work in the marvel of all he has created.
Recently, while going for a “walk,” parts of a lesser-known Psalm came to mind.
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses…
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:1-7,20-22 ESV
It’s a marvelous psalm of praise that captures the character of the Lord. He is faithful, loves justice, is righteous, and his love is faithful and steadfast. Those are things worth pondering on.
A familiar line from Psalm 24 asks, “Who is the King of glory?” Psalm 24 is clearly attributed to King David, but Psalm 33 doesn’t say who wrote it. Traditionally, though, it too is attributed to David. I have to wonder, in some ways, if His thoughts were on the same topic both days.
I can see Him sitting in the fields with His flocks or in one of the many forests (the land of Israel was once heavily forested, although it had its deserts, to be sure) and seeing the hand of God. Perhaps that is simply a flight of fancy on my part, but I can see it happening.
When I do one of my forest rambles, I often think of questions about God and rejoice in my heart.
I don’t know if you are a nemophilist like me, but wherever you feel God’s presence, may it move you to praise. From the depths of despair to the heights of rejoicing, He walks with us, and His love and mercy are worthy of praise.
May you feel His presence and sing His praises today.
Kevin
SUMMARY
Walking in the woods isn’t hiking for me, it’s a slow ramble that quiets my mind and lets me see God’s hand in everything He’s made. On a recent walk, part of Psalm 33 came to mind, a psalm that captures who God is, and a reminder to praise Him.
TAKEAWAY
I recently learned there’s a word for people like me: nemophilist, someone fond of forests and woodland scenery, and that’s me down to the ground.
My slow forest rambles quiet my mind and let me see God’s hand in creation without distraction.
Wherever you feel God’s presence, whether in a forest or anywhere else, that’s an invitation to praise Him, from the depths of despair to the heights of rejoicing.