Psalm 17 with Commentary by Dr Noel Donnelly
Psalm 17 is quite a long psalm. We use four of its 51 verses in our weekend liturgy for the 31st Sunday of Year B. Traditionally it is seen as a thanksgiving prayer for David’s victory. The last verse, which we sing, sounds as though the singer is raising a glass of wine to propose a grateful toast to God.
Throughout the psalm the singer makes a list of all the events in which God has been at work, giving speed to his feet, keeping his balance steady on the hilltops, girding him with strength throughout the struggles, and crushing his enemies like dust before the wind. He calls for a toast, singing, “Long life to the Lord my rock! Praised be the God who saves us!” God is acclaimed fourfold as a rock, a refuge, a personal shield and a stronghold.
The response that we sing is a repeated emphasis on love! “I love you Lord, my strength!”
The psalm echoes the love-command in the reading from Deuteronomy: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength!” This is a passage recited morning, noon and night by the faithful Jew. In the Gospel which follows, we find Jesus answering the question of one of the scribes about the greatest commandment. To the traditional command of loving God with heart and soul and mind and strength, Jesus adds “You must love your neighbour as yourself!” That word, “love”, occurs ten times in our liturgy of the Word! It is central to our Eucharistic Prayer which follows. The demands of love surely challenge us as we move out to the world around us.
Psalm 17: words and music (c) Noel Donnelly. St Mungo Music. Recorded by Catriona Glen. Graphic (c) Netta Ewing.
