Der Generalfeldmarschall

White, it’s totally white outside. 0258 and a WhiteOut. But this is the Time of year, isn’t it, Time for fog. December is for chill evenings and chill, foggy mornings except that it’s 66° 96% and 65 dewpoint, water on the sidewalk. Somewhere it’s snowing, enjoy, BTDT you can have it, my overcoat and my snow shovel, those bags of sand and salt lugged round in the trunk of my car those years those winters.

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel (says our psalm for Sunday), leading Joseph like a flock, shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim … stir up your strength and come to help us. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts (sounds the refrain) show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. I like that psalm, and our lectionary portion is messianic in tone. I like the shepherd metaphor, and Joseph as a symbol of Israel, like too the Lord God of Hosts image, Yahweh Elohim Sabaoth, commander of armies, Marshal, Herr Feldmarschall.

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 Qui regis Israel

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *

shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *

stir up your strength and come to help us.

3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

4 O Lord God of hosts, *

how long will you be angered

despite the prayers of your people?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *

you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *

the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.

17 And so will we never turn away from you; *

give us life, that we may call upon your Name.

18 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; *

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.