Content Summary
C.S. Lewis’ Reflections on the Psalms is a thought provoking work that brings selected Psalms to life in an enlightening and humorous way in order to cause the reader to consider the Psalms in light of the reputation of God as seen in judgment and the Law, the beauty of God and recognizing God in nature and within scripture; the nature, plight and connivance of man in life; and man’s need for praising and desire to find second meaning within the writings of pagans and the Psalms.
The Psalms are filled to capacity with nuggets of revelation which Lewis discloses through Reflections on the Psalms by touching on a few observations he has come across that have intrigued and perplexed him. He opens up selected Psalms to the reader illuminating truths that have baffled even the most studious scholars of the Word. His humor and humanness seen throughout the pages temper the hardest of subject matter in a way that brings revelation to every chapter.
Lewis challenges the reader to examine the reputation of God as seen in the judgment He enforces on the peoples of the earth. He reflects on the fact that the judgment of God has been seen by modern Christians as a “day of wrath or a dreadful day”[1]; when the Jews actually saw it as an “occasion of universal rejoicing”[2], as seen in Psalm 67:4 and 96:12-13.[3] He also challenges the reader to look at God’s character in light of Psalm 19:10 where the Psalmist praises God’s Law or statues as being more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey.[4] The Psalmist also states in 1:2 that man’s delight is in the Law; here Lewis is attempting to convince the reader that the nature of God’s heart is focused on what is beneficial for man and the Law was created for his gain and not his destruction.[5]
Lewis expresses that the Psalms create a picture of God’s beauty that makes the human heart dance. He talks of David dancing before the Ark with abandon as he rejoiced in the Lord as something, when compared to the mundane spiritual rituals that plague most Christians, that causes the heart to envy and hope to be infected by as it is read.[6] This desire is born out of the realization of the beauty of the Lord, as also seen in the Psalmist’s desire in 27:4, to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord”[7] Lewis also utilizes the Psalms to help the reader discover God in His creation of the world. When one believes God to be the creator of nature it puts into motion certain truths of which cannot be denied. First, it separates God from nature in that “the doctrine of creation empties nature of divinity”,[8] while still allowing it to be a “magnificent symbol of Divinity”[9] as the Psalmist reveals in 36:5-6. Secondly, it “leaves nature full of manifestations which show the presence of God, and created energies which serve Him”,[10] as seen in Psalm 104:2; 29:3-5; 18:11. Lastly, believing in creation causes nature to become an achievement rather than just another fact as spoken by the Psalmist in 33:4 and 9, when he writes “His works are faithful, He spoke it and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast”.[11]
Understanding Scripture and how to see God in its pages is vital for every Christian experience. Although there is no one book that Jesus wrote we can encounter and learn from Him throughout the entirety of the Scripture. Lewis points out that for the Christian understanding God through Scripture does not mean learning a subject but rather “stepping into a Personality, acquiring a new outlook and temper, breathing a new atmosphere, suffering Him, in His own way, to rebuild in us the defaced image of Himself.”[12]
The nature, plight and connivance of man in human experience are also areas of focus as Lewis ponders the Psalms. The subject of the sinful nature of man is observed as Lewis focuses on the cursing Psalms. Within these Psalms the reader will find inside man dwells the spirit of hatred, Psalm 109:5; the need for revenge, Psalm 109:6-7, 9, 11, 13; blessings to those who do harm to their enemy’s children, Psalm 137:9; and malice, Psalm 69:23.[13] Lewis also discusses the plight of man as he explores the passages relating to death. There was no belief in the afterlife during Old Testament times, only Sheol, the place of the dead, where everyone went when they died. Psalm 49:10 states that the wise and foolish have the same fate.[14] Another area concerning the life of humankind that Lewis finds within the Psalms is what he calls connivance. What Lewis is alluding to here is the attitude that strives to get on good terms with God by hating what is perceived that He hates and loving what is perceived that He loves. Several Psalms relate to this subject and seem to convey the attitude of “thinking oneself too good for others”,[15] which in Lewis’ opinion can lead to “Pharisaism”.[16]
Finally, Lewis recognizes among the Scriptures man’s need for praising and desire to find second meaning within the writings of pagans and the Psalms. After struggling with the idea that God demands praise of His people, seeing praising as merely giving of a complement, approval, or honor, Lewis comes to recognize praising as more of an attribute of mankind that brings enjoyment and satisfaction. He states that, “the world rings with praise- lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game….I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment.”[17]
Christians have come to believe that within the Psalms lay a second meaning, hidden underneath just waiting to be found. This second meaning holds truths that are needed and are central to Christianity concerning the Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, and Redemption of man.[18] Among the written history of man there are stories that have been written by pagan individuals that point to the Christian beliefs of today. Lewis puts forth the assumption that it is just the nature of man to read into stories what is wanted and thereby change the authors intended meaning at the time of his writing. He suggests that Christians can use the writings of Plato or Virgil to meditate on the Passion of Christ, or the birth of Christ because they can see the meaning within the writings that the authors were not privy to.[19] When reflecting on second meaning within the Psalms, Lewis brings to mind Psalms 137, where the author talks of dashing Babylonian babies against the stones. He expounds on “things in the inner world which are like babies; the infantile beginnings of small indulgences, small resentments, which may one day become dipsomania or settled hatred….Against such all pretty infants the advice of the Psalm is the best. Knock the little bastard’s brains out.”
Reflections on the Psalms is thought provoking and inspiring. Lewis touches on issues of importance for every Christian and the walk they strive to have with God. His concepts of God and man that are revealed within the context of the Psalms challenge every reader to put away the things that so easily entangle them and allow the working of God to bring them to the new life they can have in Christ.
Evaluation
When evaluating Reflections on the Psalms, the reader can take into account other books, such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Meditating on the Word, which also focuses on pondering the Psalms. Although other books may be similar in content and structure, Lewis seems to take it a little further. While Bonhoeffer uses a format of sermons or speeches regarding certain Psalms, Lewis tends to focus on certain subject matter as he intertwines the Psalms and other scriptures in order to come to conclusions about the subject. Both books however can be used as devotionals, or scholarly references.
Lewis seems to achieve his intended purpose for writing Reflections on the Psalms. His main theme is convincing and thought provoking as well as his arguments logical and well supported. The Scripture used throughout the book substantiates his main theme, arguments and claims. This book would be a great resource for individuals who want to gain a greater understanding of the Psalms and how they relate to God, man, and Christian beliefs as a whole. For those wanting to grow in their relationship with God and learn to walk according to His statutes this book would bring insight and revelation. Using the book for personal devotion or scholarly insight is both attainable and highly recommended.
Of the many strengths found in the book Lewis’ humor and candidness can be seen as he reflects on the cursing Psalms. He states, referring to Psalm 23:5, “Thou shalt prepare a table before me; against them that trouble me….The poet’s enjoyment of his present prosperity would not be complete unless those horrid Joneses (who used to look down their noses at him) were watching it all and hating it.”[20] The most obvious weakness found in the book, relates to the fact that Mr. Lewis uses a lot of words and tends to jump around in his thought processes making it hard for the reader to fully comprehend what he is trying to convey. Also, if there is not a sufficient knowledge of the historical setting and language of Christianity in the time in which Mr. Lewis penned his work the reader will have a hard time grasping some of the concepts he brings to the forefront. One illustration of this can be seen when he talks about second meanings. His purpose is to give credence to the pagan writers throughout history who have written poems and stories that inspire and uplift the human soul, but do not outwardly mention God, or Jesus within their pages. Reading this section of Lewis’ book one can quickly come to the conclusion that he would have Christians put these authors on the same plain as the Scriptures. However, with careful reading it is clear his intent was to show that God can even work though pagan writers to be glorified and although those writers did not intend such a thing, as their knowledge of God was limited, Christians today can see the second meaning that God intended to portray through such writing and can worship God even while reading them.[21]
Through comparison with other works, understanding of the theme of Reflections on the Psalms, and taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the book, the reader can be sure to gain a complete understanding of the author’s intent in writing. Also, the reader can acquire a better understanding of the Psalms and their relationship with man and God, being therefore able to apply the insight obtained to everyday life situations.
[1] C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, San Diego: Harvest, 1958, 9.
[2]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 9.
[3]Ibid, 9.
[4]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 54.
[5]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 54-65.
[6]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 45-46.
[7]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 44, 48.
[8]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 80.
[9]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 81.
[10]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 81.
[11]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 83.
[12]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 114.
[13]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 20-21.
[14]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 36-38.
[15]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 66.
[16] Ibid, 66.
[17]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 94, 95.
[18]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 99.
[19]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 107-108.
[20]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 21.
[21]Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 99-108.
Bibliography
Lewis, C.S., Reflections on the Psalms, the Celebrated Musings on one of the most Intriguing
Books of the Bible. San Diego: Harvest, 1958.
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