Texts: 1 Chronicles 16:7; Nehemiah 12:8; Psalm 25:1–5; 33:1–3; 82:8; 121:7; Romans 8:26, 27

 

Recently uncovered 200-year-old poems, unpublished until now, shed light on one of the most influential chemists of the nineteenth century, and the scientific experiments that occupied his life.

Although Sir Humphry Davy’s poetic side was not previously unknown, eight notebooks from the Davy Notebooks Project, transcribed by more than 3,500 volunteers working in conjunction with the Royal Institution of Great Britain and researchers at Lancaster University, reveal that his poems and scientific breakthroughs are intricately, symbiotically, tied.

Between complex equations and documentation of chemical discoveries, Davy filled the empty spaces of chemically-stained paper with poetry that would attempt to solve or express the mysteries of his experiments. And sometimes, he would pause to reflect on his personal philosophies.

Lancaster University’s Sharon Ruston, quoted by Donna Ferguson for The Guardian, explains, “He’s writing about nitrous oxide or galvanism. But then there are lines of poetry as well. These two things are happening simultaneously for him. He is trying to figure out what the world is and how to understand the world.”

“I think he couldn’t help himself,” adds Mark Miodownik, professor of materials and society at University College London. “He’s so full of wonder and amazement that he had to do it–things were running around and around in his head and he had to get them out.”

Much of the same could be said of the Psalmists, whose worldview, daily lives, and theocentric philosophies inspired the songs, laments, praises, and prayers that have been compiled into what we now know as the Psalms. Containing human elements and written for various purposes, the Psalms represent all seasons of life, but ultimately reflect a sense of wonder at all that is God. And they should; they’re divinely inspired.

Similarly, whatever Davy penned was inspired by the great source of wonder in his life: science. And in his recorded thoughts we see the inner workings of his mind, the circumstances of his life, and revelations of his worldview.

Although incomparable in terms of spiritual value, both the Psalms and Davy’s private musings help us better untangle and understand the work at hand in the writers’ lives, while also offering passions, doubts, aspirations, and praises to which even the modern age can relate.

 

Sharing: Why do you think that laments were included in the Psalms?

1. To give historical context for future generations
2. To further prove that even in the bad times, God is present and has a plan
3. To provide relevancy for others going through tough times
4. To further cement that chaos and tragedy result from sin
5. To reach the melancholic
6. Other

Applying: Choose four to seven people in your life and find a Psalm that reminds you of each person (preferably, pick verses of encouragement that they need to hear). If you are comfortable doing so, share each chosen Psalm with its assigned individual and gauge the reactions. An alternative option is penning your own “psalm” to keep for yourself.

~ Stefani Leeper

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