Artworks for Readings from Psalms through Isaiah
Our artistic journey through the Old Testament continues! Here you'll find our selected artworks and commentary to accompany this month's Come, Follow Me readings. Remember, you can also subscribe to get email reminders when new artworks are ready or follow along weekly on Instagram or Facebook. We hope that art-lovers everywhere will be inspired by these artworks as they complement their gospel study, family discussions, and church classes with fine art from around the world.
August 31 - September 6
“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” asks the captive Psalmist. His persecutors led him to “the rivers of Babylon” where he “sat down” and “wept” when he “remembered Zion.” His people “hanged [their] harps upon the willows” as their enemies demanded a happy song.
Minerva Teichert painted this depiction of Psalm 137 in 1939 after hearing from her son, a missionary sent to Nazi Germany, about the violence and hatred he witnessed against the Jewish community there. In her painting, she captures not only the river, the crying faces, and the harps in the trees, but the dignity of the quiet resistance of the captives against their oppressors.
The Lord does not ask us to pretend we do not suffer, nor does he expect that our hope and faith in Him erases our struggles. Sometimes, it’s okay to hang our harps upon the willows and mourn, commiserate, or ask for help. And while we are hurting, we can remember that God’s “love never changes... It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful... It is simply always there.”
September 7-13
The final panel of the Gates of Paradise depicts Solomon, the presumed author of the Book of Proverbs. Solomon was noted for his wisdom, a recurring theme in that book. "Wisdom is better than rubies," Proverbs says, "and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it" (8:11). "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom" (3:13), which is "as a flowing brook" (18:4) and "better... than gold" (16:16). "Wisdom is the principal thing;" Solomon says, "therefore get wisdom" (4:7).
What are you doing today to become more wise tomorrow?
September 14-20
Though he was a grandson of Brigham Young, the artist Mahonri Mackintosh Young was not particularly religious. Nevertheless, his artwork frequently depicts religious themes, figures, and events, including this painting. ‘Conference Salt Lake City 1906’ shows the gathering of Saints to Temple Square for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ semiannual General Conference. Though the painting is more than 100 years old, much of it reflects today’s Conference Gatherings. Downtown Salt Lake City fills with reverent anticipation. Thousands pour in wearing their Sunday best. Prophets, apostles, and other leaders prepare to speak. One is reminded of Isaiah’s words from almost 3,000 years ago: “many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways” (Isaiah 2:3).
In two weeks, there will be another General Conference, and millions will listen eagerly, either in person or online. How are you preparing to be taught?
September 21-27
Isaiah 35 is mostly about miraculous blessings: “the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose”; “the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped”; “and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Between all these promises is a simple instruction: “Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.”
Perhaps this commandment is for the difficult times before those miracles occur. Maybe it’s a directive for how to bring about better days. Or perhaps it’s a reminder that even in times of plenty, blessing, and celebration, there are others who need help, comfort, and reassurance.
Look at this etching of a downcast figure. Though their face is hidden, what can you tell about their emotional state? How can you be sure? If you were there, what would you do to strengthen their weak hands and make firm their feeble knees?
