The Psalms were composed to be sung—they were the Hebrew Hymnal.  Eight-stringed instruments as well as the flute and others were used as accompaniment as they were sung to the Lord.  One writer stated they are the bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament and a summary of the same.  The words interlude and/or selah show up 71 times which I think of as a breath—a space between parts.  Martin Luther said the Psalms are a little Bible; in it is comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entire Bible. There are psalms of praise, thanksgiving, prayer and repentance and the prayers are God’s instructions for righteous living and teach who he is, what he has done and what he expects from his people. 

 

This piece is part of the series. Like one piece of a quilt is part of a whole, one Psalm is part of the whole book. Quilting was an artistic expression in my family ancestry from my great-great grandmother to my mother and now currently my sister.  So, I feel using stitching is the way I can carry on that handiwork through my artwork for now.

 

This image is a departure from my normal smooth blended watercolor-like work.  When I meditated on this Psalm I remembered a work I made in 2001 referencing the city of the living God from Hebrews 12:22-24 and the description of the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21 which brought to mind the foundation stones of various jewels and the absence of darkness so I was inspired to keep the top bright white.

 

I incorporated those colors into the swash of blue allowing them to be like a reflection in the stream.  The river is a metaphor for the continual outpouring of the blessings of God.  The gold threads symbolize the presence of the Most High and create a protection—like a wall—around the city which prevents her from falling because of God’s presence.  He is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble.

 

References:

Psalm 46

Hebrews 12:22-24

Revelation 21