Bono, Eugene Peterson, and the Psalms

I'm so grateful to my cousin Anne for sending me the link to this video in which Eugene Peterson and Bono talk about the psalms and the development of their friendship (though not in that order). Eugene Peterson is the one who did the Bible translation The Message, which is in everyday language. Bono, of course, is from U2, but not only do I love their music, I also have a deep appreciation for his work with social causes.  Just checked to see if Wikipedia had a good blurb to summarize, and sure enough they do:

Bono's work as an activist, which is due largely to his Christian beliefs,^[40] began in earnest when, inspired by Live Aid, he travelled to Ethiopia to work in a feeding camp with his wife Alison and the charityWorld Vision, an Evangelical Christian humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organisation.^[40] With regard to Bono's 2013 declarations in interviews published and videotaped of his faith in Jesus Christ,^[41] he states that Christ was either who he said he was, or he is "a complete and utter nutcase".^[42][43] As early as 2005, Bono was invoking this argument,^[44][45] identified as the "Lewis trilemma". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bono 



U2's "40" is based on Psalm 40. Sing a new song!

40    Expectans, expectavi
1 I waited patiently upon the LORD; *     he stooped to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *     he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; *     many shall see, and stand in awe,     and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *     they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods. 5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God! how great your wonders and your plans for us! *     there is none who can be compared with you. 6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *     but they are more than I can count. 7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *     (you have given me ears to hear you); 8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *     and so I said, "Behold, I come. 9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *     'I love to do your will, O my God;     your law is deep in my heart.'" 10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *     behold, I did not restrain my lips;     and that, O LORD, you know. 11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *     I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the                              great congregation.

12	You are the LORD; do not withhold your compassion from me; *     let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13	For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *     they are more in number than the hairs of my head,     and my heart fails me.
14	Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *     O LORD, make haste to help me.
15	Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed who seek after my life to destroy it; *     let them draw back and be disgraced     who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16	Let those who say "Aha!" and gloat over me be confounded, *     because they are ashamed.
17	Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *     let those who love your salvation continually say,     Great is the LORD!"
18	Though I am poor and afflicted, *     the Lord will have regard for me.
19	You are my helper and my deliverer; *     do not tarry, O my God. (Book of Common Prayer translation via http://www.bcponline.org/)