Journal: Reformation and Revival
Volume: RAR 09:2 (Spring 2000)
Article: Worship In The Psalms Exodus 15 And The Praise Of God Part One
Author: Ronald Barclay Allen

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RAR 9:2 (Spring 2000) p. 103

Worship In The Psalms
Exodus 15 And The Praise Of God
Part One

Ronald B. Allen

Poetry And The Philistines

Years ago I began a book with what I thought would be a wonderful opening line. I wrote, “Only a Philistine could fail to love the Psalms.”1 Some people have made it a point to tell me they enjoyed this. One of the first was Dr. Robert B. Hughes, former professor of Biblical Literature, Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon. I still have his note congratulating me on this opening sentence. More recently, Dr. Charles R. Swindoll, president of Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas, introduced me in chapel by reading that sentence and expressing appreciation for it.2 Now these are not small accolades! One could do worse than to be congratulated by an esteemed colleague (Dr. Hughes) and a revered boss (Dr. Swindoll)!

Unfortunately, however, I had overstated the case. In attempting to be clever, I misrepresented things. Lots of people do not love the Psalms! And not all of them are Philistines!3 And this is heartache to me.

I have had a deep appreciation for the beauty of roses for several decades. My wife Beverly and I were once members of the Portland Rose Society. We joined the club to be with people of mutual interest. We also believed this would afford us opportunities to learn about roses and their care, and also to share the love of the Master Gardener in the hearing of those who love his handiwork, but who do not always know to attribute beauty to him.

RAR 9:2 (Spring 2000) p. 104

I have also had a life-long love for music. This is a part of growing up in the home of a musician. My range in musical tastes is wide, from swing and jazz to classical, including grand opera.4 Beverly shares a love of music with me. Our first date, more than forty years ago(!), was at what was optimistically billed “The First Annual Dixieland Jazz Concert” in the Hollywood Bowl in southern California. In later years we often paid dearly for season tickets for the Portland Opera. Further, I worked for a couple of years as an announcer at the classical music station in Dallas, WRR FM, where I was paid to listen to and to comment briefly on some of the most wonderful music in the western world.

And the point? My love for music and for roses is so strong, and is so much a part of me, that I do not know how to respond with sufficient grace when someone says he really has no interest in roses, or that the symphony leaves him cold, or that grand opera might ...

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