Chapter 8: Location, location, location

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How we choreograph or move the people and elements in our story helps us understand the text.  This is part of how we “see” the story unfold.

For example, if you’re memorizing the gospels, the Galilee pictured in your mind should always be in one area (north) and your Judea is always in another (south).   Maps can be very helpful in creating an understanding of geography.  When the Scriptures say, “and Jesus went to Capernaum” it’s good to know where that is at in your mind.  Or when the gospels say, “he went to Bethany” it’s helpful to know Bethany is right outside of Jerusalem.  These clues help you to understand the story.

But it’s also good to have not only the big picture of location of where people are at but the smaller picture.  Where were the people standing in the story?  Where were they looking?  Where are they seated or standing?  Creating placement is an aid to memorization.

For example, let’s look at Psalm 4.  Take a moment and read this psalm.

1Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.

Give me relief from my distress;

be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame ?

How long will you love delusions and seek false gods ? "

Selah"

3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;

the LORD will hear when I call to him.

4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds,

search your hearts and be silent. "Selah"

5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.

6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when

their grain and new wine abound.

8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD,

make me dwell in safety.

In the prelude of the Psalm we know that it is “Of David” so that helps set the authorship.  But we have no specific mention that would tell us the context, so that’s where we create a context as best as we can. 

Initially the psalm may seem challenging as it shifts from a prayer to God (v. 1), then addressing outsiders (v. 2-3), next addressing  worshipers or perhaps his military cabinet (v. 4-6), then back to addressing the Lord (v. 7-8).   The cohesion could be difficult to comprehend but with the aid of location helps, the progression can be made more clear.

First of all we look at the psalm and discern as much about the background as possible.  We know that he had enemies who were defiling the name of the Lord.  We also know that he is addressing people who are seeking the ways of God.  Perhaps he’s fleeing from Saul and in the cave.  Or perhaps he’s in his house and things are getting tense right before he is overthrown by his son Absalom.  It’s unclear but we can put it into a plausible context.  For me I have chosen the latter, putting it into the context of the conflict with his son Absalom.

Location Point 1.   I imagine David in his house and looking out his second story window.  Outside are those who hate him and want to overthrow his reign, hearts that have been swayed away from him by his son.  His fellow God-fearers and his advisors are there in the room with him.  He is in front of them with his back turned away and his head covered as he quietly prays to the Lord—“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.  Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.” 

Location Point 2.  At this point I picture him wandering over to the window and looking down into the street only to see men who are angry, protesting and throwing objects at the palace.  They are also holding up idols in their hands that they worship as they  mock the One True God.  As David is looking out the window, half praying and half pleading, he voices quietly to himself, “How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?  How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?  Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.” 

Location Point 3.  Next I imagine him turning to the people in his living room, he is facing them but pointing out the window at what is going on outside.  He addresses his fellow God-fearers as they are angry and muttering against the unrighteousness right out the window.  They are angry and wanting to kill them all.   Then he addresses them pastorally saying, “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.  Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.”  Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”  Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. “

Back to Location Point 1.  Then I picture him turning away from them again in prayer with eyes lifted toward heaven.  “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new abound,” he says, pointing out the window when he says “their.”   “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” 

So we took an event that may or may not have happened in David’s life and with the details given create a storyline.  The story in my mind may be different than yours and that is Ok as long as we are staying true to the text.  Perhaps you can picture David writing this psalm when he is in a cave and fleeing from Saul.  Perhaps you imagine another event in David’s life.  But find a story that would fit the context as best as possible and create the film in your imagination.  But keep in mind the location to create your story, both the location of the persons involved as well as the geographic location.