Dear Sistertech,
I was minding my own business, listening to Psalm 119 on my iPod, and I hear this:
Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
So far, so good. And a little later:
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your decrees are my meditation.
And then this:
I do not turn away from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
I love the laws of The One In Charge, but in my job I’m bending the rules all the time. And that stuff about “one upping” your teachers made me nervous. I’ve been a programmer about 9 years. Sure, I know a lot of things. But there are other guys here with way more experience. I thought listening to the Psalms on my way to work would be a good idea. Now I’m not so sure.
Thanks for your help,
Puzzled in Palo Alto
Dear Puzzled,
You are not alone. There is one thing users of Dave’s songbook have to realize: He has a rather unnerving ability to write whatever is occupying his mind and weighing on his heart at any given moment. This means reading of any Psalm can be a real roller coaster ride, let alone reading a few back to back.
That being said, here are three quick ways to deal with puzzling Psalms.
1. Put yourself in your old shoes
You name it, Dave’s experienced it. Well, nearly everything. You come to a verse or an entire Psalm that speaks to a time when things were not going so well for Dave. Dave says that when he goes through some songs he often comes face to face with the “old Dave”. Rather than have it bring back bad memories, he uses it as an opportunity for thanks. You can, too. Let’s say things are going really well in your life now. Thank The One In Charge for bringing you through the rough times and for the successful transformation of the “old you” to the new and momentarily, at least, improved you. On the flip side, when things are not going particularly well, practice taking encouragement from Dave’s triumphs. Doing so could give you that little boost of confidence and faith you need to face a particularly grueling day of pounding code.
2. Put yourself is someone else’s shoes
Although Dave variously comes across as besieged, whiny, friendless, arrogant, or a self-centered jerk at times, learning about Dave’s struggles can help you become more compassionate. Find someone who could use a little bit of compassion. If you can’t find a likely candidate, look in the mirror. On a personal note, Sistertech has learned a great deal from the Psalms about human nature, especially working with difficult personalities. So rather than being turned off by a Psalm, let it remind you to practice looking at things from someone else’s perspective. Besides, the practice will come in handy when you are designing software.
3. Go window shopping for some new shoes
Dave says he thinks about how things would have gone with Goliath had he been wearing snowshoes instead of sandals. Frankly, I never can tell when the guy is pulling my wings or not. But I think I understand what he means. Imagine having a different skill set — or pair of shoes — for the situation you are in. Follow up on the hints Dave scatters throughout his songs. Imagine having more knowledge than your teachers. Get specific. What type of knowledge would that be? How would you acquire it? What would it be like to meditate — really meditate — on The Document? Now go ahead. Try out those new shoes. They might actually fit.
Yours faithfully,
Sistertech
