Today’s commentary on Psalm 130 from the Visual Commentary on Scripture can be found here. The overarching theme of the week is penitence, and today’s image is inspired by Psalm 130 verse 3:
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
The commentary on Philip Evergood’s painting, Dance Marathon (1934) explores how the painting questions the morality of competitive dance marathons, with prize money, in the midst of the economic hardship in the 1930s. Listen to or read the commentary to hear the symbolism of the painting unpacked.
It might seem a tangent from Psalm 130, but the painting connects with the question of who is free from the web of “sin”. In this context, I’d describe “sin” as the darker and exploitative aspect of our humanity. Even the innocent spectator or bystander can be said to be involved at times. I suppose that this is a version of “for evil to flourish it only takes good people to do nothing”. Perhaps one of our Lenten disciplines could be to ask whether we are bystanders to injustice and suffering?
As you reflect on the painting, here’s a setting of Psalm 51 from James MacMillan to listen to – the Miserere – have mercy upon me, God. Listen right to the end as the “sun breaks through” in a melody that Greenbankers will find familiar!
Place of Wondering 