through a veil

“Do not rob me of my power to speak the truth, for I put my hope in your decrees.” (Psalm 119:43)  That’s something I encountered yesterday in my Psalm reading.  It’s from the Revised English Bible.  I’m always struck when I read that first clause.  Do not rob me of my power to speak the truth.  The New Revised Standard Version presents it this way:  “Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth.”  It seems a little less stark. 

The idea of a God who rewards and punishes was alive and well in the ancient Hebrew mind.  Actually, it’s still alive today!  (I have to admit that sometimes I slip into that mentality, even though I really don’t believe it.)

When we rely on our own system of thought—especially when we see the world through the grid of ideology—we yield a vast array of truth.  Even at our best, we have only a tiny glimpse of it.

This Sunday, many churches observe the Transfiguration of the Lord.  The Old Testament reading comes from Exodus 34, in which Moses is described as veiling his face.  He has been talking to God, and his face is shining—and it scares the people!

What veils do we wear?  In what ways do we suppress the Spirit of truth within? 

(The image is from olivyaz.blogspot.com.)