Commentary on Ps 23 (24) for the 4th Sunday of Advent, by Dr Noel Donnelly. Recorded by Grace Buckley. Graphic (c) Netta Ewing
Psalm 23 (24) Advent 4A Commentary.
Psalm 23 is notoriously difficult to interpret. It is even further challenged on
the fourth Sunday of Advent because the singer starts with a response from
verse 7 (“Let the King of Glory enter!”) followed by verses one to six!
Our linear modern mind is challenged by the liturgists who set this psalm for
Sunday’s celebration!
Maybe an appreciation of the two-way dynamic between heaven and earth
may help. Our psalm begins with God’s creation using two poetic pairs: “the
earth and all that is in it” followed by “the world and all those who dwell in it”.
But then there is a change of scene with the movement or advent into the holy
Temple, firstly by humans who seek the face of God, preferably with “clean
hands and pure heart”. Then on top of that we have the entry of the King of
Glory into that holy place. The Temple is the place of intersection of heaven
and earth.
This coming-together or mutual advent is so appropriate for our exciting
approach to the feast of Christmas. Today, our psalm about entering, bridges
the reading from Isaiah with its prophecy about God entering the maiden with
the child Emmanuel, and the Gospel where the Lord enters the virgin-bride of
Joseph.
The cantor would do well to see his / her proclamation as one that links the
story of God’s gradual self-revelation through the Old and New Testaments,
and God’s entry now into the church community gathered around him or her
in the liturgical prayer. The singing of our psalm intensifies a sacred mutual
presence. Each individual is invited to welcome the Lord, the King of Glory, as
he enters our space, and we enter God’s.
