HIS COST

 

Tender Shepherd by LDS Bookstore

The Shepherd of Israel

Who would not see me lost,

Who rescued my soul

Never counting the cost. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

PSALMS OF THE HEART 2

 

Art: King David Grieves Over Absalom by Carleton E Watkins (1829-1916)

Book Two (Psalms 42-72): Focuses on deliverance, longing for God and kingship.

In the words of C.S. Lewis: “The heart can and should obey the head”. David, the King of Israel is concrete proof of these words. His transgression with Bath-Sheba cost him dearly and led to many family and national tragedies. He spent the rest of his life regretting what he did. In one psalm he expressed his mental torment and pleaded for forgiveness:

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me…..

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me.”  (Psalm 51:1-3, 10-11)

David paid a high price for the example that he set for his children. That example created so much turmoil and complexity within his family life that prophet Nathan told him “the sword shall never depart from thine house” (2 Samuel 12:10).

Psalms 42-72 speaks a lot about David’s enemies and his supplication to God for protection and deliverance. And this is the tragedy of all tragedies…..imagine your greatest enemy coming from your own family. Many of us have family conflict but what David experienced was another level of family strife.

David’s example of following his bodily lust with Bath-Sheba played itself the second time around with his first-born son and heir Amnon who developed a consuming lust for his half sister Tamar. After the rape he rejected her and hated her ‘exceedingly’ (2 Samuel 13:15-22). Knowing that she had been disgraced and would therefore be deprived of a husband, Tamar mourned in the manner of a widow (vs 19,20). And she mourned for two years in the house of her brother Absalom who took her under his protection.

David was furious with Amnon but his own conduct with Bath-Sheba had left him without basis for condemnation: “Because of his own guilt, David did not act to correct this great abomination in his own household. David learned the sad lesson that a man’s sins can often visit him even to the third and fourth generation (see Exodus 34:7)” (Old Testament Student Manual Genesis – 2 Samuel, The Price of Sin: Tragedy in the House of David)

After two years of watching his sister mourn, Absalom was enraged that his father did nothing to correct the injustice done to her so he took matters in his own hands. He arranged the murder of his brother Amnon at the feast he held for the annual sheep shearing and escaped to his grandfather’s home in Geshur (2 Samuel 13:23-39).

From there things progressed so far that Absalom plotted to overthrow his father as king. He began to act like a king and campaigned to gain favour with the people and ‘stole the hearts of the men of Israel’ (see 2 Samuel 15:1-12). I can see how both injustice and love for another human being can drive a man to extreme behaviour. I don’t know which drove Absalom to such extremes but his love for his sister touched me deeply.

The first time that David, a man of war, turned his back on his enemies was the time he fled Jerusalem in the face of insurrection from his son. This was a highly uncharacteristic thing for him to do considering that Jerusalem was a fortress to be reckoned with. Instead of facing the enemy “he appears to take all as coming from the hand of God; therefore he humbles himself, weeps, goes barefoot, and covers his head! He does not even hasten his departure, for the habit of mourners is not the habit of those who are flying before the face of their enemies. He sees the storm, and he yields to what he conceives to be the tempest of the Almighty.” (Clarke, Bible Commentary, 2:350)

Some believe Psalm 55 was written by David to express his feelings over Absalom’s revolt. Note especially verses 12-14 and 20-21.

This is the outcome of David’s tragic life: The two armies who fought for the throne slaughtered 20,000 men (2 Samuel 18:7). Even though David’s army prevailed and he regained the throne, the personal tragedy of his family never ended. His charismatic son Absalom, whom David loved deeply, was murdered by the captain of David’s army and David wept: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son! (2 Samuel 18:9-17, 33)

“It is almost as though after his sin with Bath-Sheba and the murder of Uriah the light that gave David his political genius went out. His actions during this extreme crisis were of blind loyalty to an evil son and of one foolish decision after another.” ((Old Testament Student Manual Genesis – 2 Samuel, The Price of Sin: Tragedy in the House of David)

But there is more…..under advice to show Israel that his father hated him, Absalom sexually defiled all ten of his father’s concubines (2 Samuel 16:21-23). Under the Mosaic law (see Leviticus 18), once defiled, married women could not again enjoy the married state. When David returned to his house, he shut up these women and fed them ‘unto the day of their death, living in widowhood’ (2 Samuel 20:3).

Yes, there is still more….David promised Bath-Sheba that her son Solomon would succeed him and sit on his throne instead of Absalom’s brother Adonijah who was next in succession. I suspect guilt had something to do with it. When Adonijah started asserting his right to the throne, Solomon had him put to death to secure his place on the throne of his father David (1 Kings 1:13,17;29,30; 2:15,:23-25). And so David lost three sons and went to his death having lost his exaltation (D&C 132:38,39).

David’s repentance and godly sorrow led to his gratefulness for the resurrection of the unjust which is known as ‘the sure mercies of David’ (see Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, p 272). 

David went to his death honouring the justice and mercy of God:

“…. my heart is glad…..for thou wilt not leave my soul in hell…..” Psalm 16:9,10)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

THE HEART OF THE SHEPHERD

 

Faithful and True by LDS BOOKSTORE

How dear to the heart of the Shepherd

Is the flock of His sheep;

With tenderness and love

He watches over those in His keep.

How much do they love their Shepherd!

How closely they stay by His side!

With every footstep they follow,

To forever with Him abide,

All eternity wide.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

OIL OF GLADNESS

 

The Lord Is My Shepherd by LDS Bookstore

King David of the Old Testament is one of my favourite heroes. His love for the God of Israel inspired in me such admiration for him that his fall from grace has been one of my biggest disappointments. At the same time, we are all sinful in this most imperfect life called mortality so my heart aches for him.

His Psalms are sublime and his testimony of the merciful heart of the Saviour shines through like the rising sun from the east in the most popular Psalm of them all. Psalm 23 titled The Lord Is My Shepherd is honoured by all of Christianity throughout the world. We don’t know when this Psalm was written exactly but the common consensus is that it was most likely written by ‘earlier David’ because of the shepherd imagery which feels personal and natural for someone who literally watched sheep.

When Samuel anointed David as the King of Israel, he did so with oil and “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13). David used this anointing in Psalm 23 as a symbol of protection from his enemies, mercy and comfort. There is an ancient and traditional practice that is an interesting parallel  of this concept. It has to do with sheep and shepherds who anoint their heads with oil and this is why:

1. Repelling Insects: Pests like nose flies try to lay eggs in the damp mucous membranes of a sheep’s nose and ears. The resulting larvae torment the animal and can burrow into its head, sometimes driving the sheep to bash its brains out against rocks.
2. Healing Wounds: The oil acts as a soothing balm for cuts, scrapes, and bruises that sheep frequently get while navigating rocky terrain or thorny briars.
3. Preventing Flock Conflict: Rams and territorial sheep often butt heads. Shepherds sometimes apply heavy oil or grease to the head and horns so that when rams clashed, their heads would harmlessly glance and slide off one another instead of causing severe fractures.

We are like sheep; tormented, wounded, conflicted. Indeed we are sheep, of the greatest Shepherd of all time who anoints us with oil of gladness, out of His great mercy.  

Today in the Church the Melchizedek Priesthood holders consecrate olive oil before it is used to anoint the sick or afflicted in need of healing, comfort, and protection. The Church stipulates strongly that no other oil can be used for this purpose (General Handbook 18.12). It has to do with the symbolic olive tree which is the emblem of the House of Israel. The emblem includes two olive branches flanking a temple menorah which the prophet Zechariah saw in a vision (Zechariah 4:11-14). The olive branch is a long-standing symbol of peace, reconciliation and hope, with roots in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. This symbol has been carried throughout history and is still recognized today.

Have you ever wondered why the olive tree? The research on this subject is extensive but here is a summary: the olive tree is a symbol of longevity, prosperity, indestructibility and generosity (relative to the fact that it produces abundant fruit even when it is over a thousand years old. It is a living testament to resilience, generosity and ancient wisdom. I once saw a picture of an olive tree which was over 2,000 years old and I understood its significance that is relative to the House of Israel.

In the Book of Mormon, Zenos used the olive tree as a powerful symbol of God's love and relationship with the house of Israel (Jacob 5). The olive tree is an evergreen, meaning its' leaves do not seasonally fade or fall. They are continually rejuvenated through scorching heat or winter cold. It is however a sturdy tree which produces new shoots from apparently dead roots. Its' gnarled trunk gives an impression of travail, endurance and ancient life. Because of the unique quality of this tree Elder Jeffrey R. Holland affirmed that "no symbol could serve more powerfully and profoundly of God's expansive, constant, redeeming love - including especially the love represented in the gift of his Only Begotten Son- than does the olive tree." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant, p 163-64)

Can you see the relevance of olive oil as the oil of gladness, that is expressed from timeless olive trees, and the connection to the timeless House of Israel who we are? Next time you read this Psalm, remember who your God is:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me….to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

MY EVERYTHING

 

Gentle Is the Lamb of God by Greg Collins

I looked up to You

When in my beginning.

I saw Your strength,

Your care, Your undying love,

And I knew only You

Could make up for what

I alone could not do.

 

You are my Shepherd,

You are my King,

You are my Holy Grail,

You are my everything.

 

-      CATHRYNE ALLEN 

PSALMS OF THE HEART 1

 

Art: King David by Gerard van Honthorst [1622]

The Book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible. It features 150 ancient Hebrew poems, songs, and prayers. It covers deep human emotions from sorrow to joyful worship across five distinct sections.

The Psalms are split into five separate books:

1.      Book One (Psalms 1-41): Mostly poems by David focusing on personal trials, trust and lament.

2.      Book Two (Psalms 42-72): Focuses on deliverance, longing for God, and kingship.

3.      Book Three (Psalms 73-89): Grapples with crisis, national pain, and the Babylonian exile.

4.      Book Four (Psalms 90-106): Shifts focus to God’s eternal reign and comfort during hard times.

5.      Book Five (Psalms 107-150): Celebrates restoration, features the Songs of Ascent, and ends in massive praise.

BOOK ONE: There was not a king who loved the God of Israel more than King David. When he conquered Jerusalem he brought the ark of the covenant into the city ‘with gladness’ and led a procession of Israelites playing instruments, shouting, singing and dancing ‘before the Lord with all his might’ in praise of the God he worshipped (2 Samuel 6:12-15). No king of Israel was more free from idolatrous inclinations or practices than David. Because of this, he became the standard of excellence that all subsequent kings came to be measured by.

David’s valour and his accomplishments as a king were outstanding. His reign is known in the annals of history as ‘the golden age of Israel’. His love for the God of Israel can leave you breathless through the psalms he wrote about Him.

King David is traditionally celebrated as the ancient world’s premier lyricist and the “sweet psalmist of Israel”. He started as a young shepherd in Bethlehem, using quiet hours outdoors to play stringed instruments and craft early melodies. His skill on the harp or lyre earned him a spot playing for King Saul to soothe the king’s troubled moods. That was the beginning of his stint as the second king of Israel.

Biblical accounts note that he designed and built new musical instruments for worship settings. As king, he organized the musical worship of Israel. He appointed Levites to be musicians and singers in the service of the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 15:16). His talents included composition and performance of music. He is credited with inventing musical instruments for four thousand porters who praised the Lord with them (1 Chronicles 23:5).  

I was going to list David’s many accolades praising the God of Israel but just one tells everything about his love for Him and his trust in His salvation:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” (Psalm 23)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

SACRAMENTAL TABLE

 

Sacrament Meeting by Doc Christenson

You feed my soul as I meet You

At the sacramental table.

The bread of life, the living water,

Give me strength to endure 

and tell me I am able.

With parched lips I drink

So I will not thirst like before,

With eagerness I eat

Your body given forever more.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN