King David plays the Harp,
Painted by Gerard van Honthorst (1592-1656),
Painted in 1622,
Oil on canvas
© Centraal Museum, Utrecht
King David plays the Harp,
Painted by Gerard van Honthorst (1592-1656),
Painted in 1622,
Oil on canvas
© Centraal Museum, Utrecht
David himself, moved by the Holy Spirit, said
Mark 12:35-37
At that time while teaching in the Temple, Jesus said, 'How can the scribes maintain that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, moved by the Holy Spirit, said:
The Lord said to my Lord:
Sit at my right hand and I will put your enemies under your feet.
David himself calls him Lord, in what way then can he be his son?' And the great majority of the people heard this with delight.
Reflection on the painting
King David was known to be a poet and accomplished musician. Tradition holds that he wrote many of the psalms (such as Psalm 110 which Jesus quotes from in today's Gospel reading). The rich relationship between God and his people comes beautifully to the fore in the Psalms. In art, as David was a musician, he is usually depicted holding a harp, and wearing a crown to signify his royalty. Before the Middle Ages, in early manuscripts, this regal aspect would usually be depicted by David standing under an imperial arch or sitting on a throne. As King David is a multifaceted and complex character, throughout art history his depictions are equally varied, showing him as a shepherd, victor, musician, ruler, king….
I am sharing with you a rather traditional image of David, and one I personally always seem to go back to when thinking of him. He is seen holding the harp, and looking towards God as he is playing his music or composing a psalm. There is gentleness in the touch of his fingers on the harp's strings. The woven linen head band reminds us that he was a shepherd boy when he was chosen to follow in Saul's footsteps. The slightly opened mouth is striking. It is a mouth of wonder, a mouth of awe, a mouth of composing and singing.
Many Jews at the time of Jesus expected the coming Messiah to be a son of David, a descendant of David. Jesus suggests that the title, ‘Son of David’, is not adequate for God’s Messiah, as the messiah is much more than just a descendant from a royal lineage. Jesus argues his case on the basis of a verse of Scripture, from the Psalms. It was already generally understood in the time of Jesus that King David was likely the author of many of the psalms. In one psalm, 110, the person praying, understood to be David, refers to the coming Messiah, as ‘my Lord’. Jesus argues that if David refers to the coming Messiah as ‘my Lord’, then the Messiah must be much more than just a descendant of David. Jesus is really saying that there is much more to him than people imagine. Yes, he is a son of David, a Jew from the line of David. Yet, Jesus’ full identity is not exhausted by the title Son of David.
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I would like to express my gratitude for this online community. Not only do we share our love for art and love for the scriptures, I am grateful that we are willing to pray for each other even though we come from different parts of the world. The Church truly is Catholic.
David also said that he will “sing with the Gentiles”, which was rather uncommon, if not banned, among the Jews in his days.
This makes him somewhat of a prophet, because he foretells his own Psalms being sung in the Holy Mass of the Gentiles, and also his own resurrection to Paradise along with all the saints of the Old Testament era, at the point of Jesus Christ’s death.
My brothers and sisters in Christ. I am going through the storm that comes from a broken heart. I hate to burden you, but I am struggling to breathe. I learned on Tuesday that I have been deceived for four years by my spouse of 30 years, whom I trusted to be my best friend. I have never felt so much pain. If you have a passage or some advice you can share I will be grateful. I do not know where to turn. My joy is crushed.
Hello Mark, I’m sorry to hear the news. If I had this situation I would take myself off to a park or garden, sit down, and watch nature at work for as long as possible. Then, if I felt strong enough, I would start somewhere in the book of Psalms. In any case, I am sure you can be assured of being held in the prayers of many people over the next few weeks. Graham.
Thank you for caring. It helps. Bless you.
You are not alone – I will pray for you – God is close to the broken hearted.
My heart breaks for you Mark. You can be sure of my prayers and everyone’s prayers here who read this around the world. Please, Dear Lord, lift this man up and give him a holy priest and a trusted friend or mentor he can turn to in his time of sorrow. Strengthen him, carry him, and comfort him. Let him know he is not alone, because You, Dear Lord, were also betrayed. Please send your Holy Mother to comfort Mark, who is in deep pain and sorrow. Amen. Go to the nearest Catholic church, go to Jesus. You will be in my prayers.
Thank you Laura.
Beautiful words and a wonderful heartfelt prayer.
🙏
Your beautiful prayer means more to me than my words can express. I am running to Jesus. May God bless you Laura.
Oh Mark I really feel for the sense of betrayal and rejection you must feel. I have also been dealing with a devastating situation for the past two years and it has been a struggle to keep my faith. Today I finally had some good news, just as I was about to do something risky I was prevented from doing so by God’s good grace.
Cling to Him who knows how it feels to be rejected and betrayed. Pour it all out to Him and although you may not get the human answer you seek, you will get the divine one you need. You are loved by Him who who loves you so much He gave His life for you. He shares your pain. These are the things that helped me in my very dark days.
The other thing that helped was being on this site and knowing that others prayed for me. I will do the same for you. It isn’t easy sharing your personal pain with strangers, but we are friends in Christ. I will pray for you knowing that God will see you through this storm and provide you with calm and peace soon.
God bless and please keep coming here and telling us how you are.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am praying to get through this day.
You will be in my prayers Mark. I will include you in my Rosary intentions. May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph comfort you in this difficult time.
Thank you so much Andy. It helps that you care enough to pray for me. With appreciation, Mark
Dear Mark,
I am very very sorry to hear the news. Devastating news indeed. All our relationships are based on trust and when that trust gets broken it is immensely hurtful. So my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I just read through the trail of comments below and indeed, we are here as a community for you. Whilst we may be at a physical distance, we are there close to you in prayer.
I know sometimes people may get frustrated when grave things happen that someone says “I will pray for you”. It is in moments like this that prayers may seem to do little to help the actual situation. But all would say and can say with what you have going on is to DO believe in the power of prayer. Offer it all to God. Place all your problems in front of God. He knows what is in your heart and he WILL help.
I am about to pray my Divine Office & Evening prayer now here in seminary and I will offer it to you.
May God bless you, console you and guide you.
As for our Christian Art community here, we are all there for you.
Patrick
I am so grateful to you and this community. I believe God led me here several months ago. Perhaps he knew what was coming for me this week, and knew I would need your help and prayers to get through it. I just do not think I could handle it without your faith and willingness to pray for me.
I feel so sorry for you, Mark. Only our Lord can help you now. He will not forsake you! we all pray for you!
Thank you Marleen. I simply cannot handle this without your prayers and this glorious community of God’s children.
I just read your post Mark; I cannot think of anything more devastating. 30 years…that’s unfathomable. I am sure it must make you doubt everything and I don’t blame you. I did read something today which you might hold on to…it’s the words of Thomas Aquinas: “Truth himself speaks truly, or there’s nothing true” That is the one thing we all hold fast to. I will pray for you and this situation in my evening prayers. With every good wish and blessing.
Dear Patricia. “Truth himself speaks truly, or there’s nothing true.” I will be meditating on that. Thank you. Bless you, truly, Mark
Thankyou for your explanation Patrick, as I didn’t understand this at all at first! I read the entire psalms a while ago and they are an astonishing collection of work. In some ways it doesn’t matter who wrote which one. I feel I neglect the psalms at mass- I am so busy trying to remember the response that I often don’t listen to the rest! Of course, some are interwoven into the liturgy and especially into hymns that we don’t know are psalms. I should go back to reading them… and tryto listen more!
Pay attention space for grace!
I shall! Thank you for your admonishment.
That is a most interesting Gospel passage which at first I couldn’t unravel. So Jesus’s identity is 1) From the line of David. 2) A Jew and born as one as they are monotheists. 3) Born in the Eastern Mediterranean area as that was the centre of the world. 4) Later to become a world figure whose message has a universal appeal. So small, bigger, even bigger, massive! If you get my thinking….(first thing in the morning).
Qué belleza de pintura, el color, los detalles. Los Salmos son oraciones maravillosas para recurrir a ellos como alabanza, como canto, y para tantos momentos de la vida en que se convierten en oraciones de clamor a Dios, de petición de ayuda.