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Notes on the Psalms of Ascent and C.S. Lewis' The Horse and His Boy
from John & Dyann Eglestons' Cedar Campus Work Crew family group, June-August 2005
Each week one of us reads aloud a chapter of this volume from
Ch. 8 "In the House of the Tisroc" / Ps 127 (work): The
the Chronicles of Narnia. Then, as the children are put to bed,
Tisroc's permission for Rabadash's military mission is based as
we get to know one another better over a snack. Manuscript-
much on the expendability of this eldest son (a danger to his
style study of these psalms leads to prayer for each other's jour-
approaching old age) as it is on his greed for added territories.
neys at and beyond Cedar Campus. And to observations about
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain" (v.
shared themes, motifs or even wording between the two bodies
1a). And the protection of Anvard, tenuously dependent on the
of literature.
reunited traveling companions, turns out to be sufficient to fend
Did Jack Lewis have these psalms in mind as he wrote his
off the surprise attack by Rabadash. "Unless the Lord watches
story for children? Perhaps the aspects noted are common to
over the city, the guards stand watch in vain" (v. 1b). Shasta and
tales and songs of journey. It seems to us his familiarity with the
King Lune come briefly face to face as a long-lost but unsus-
psalms (amid much other ancient literature) inevitably influ-
pecting son delivers the warning and greetings from his brother.
enced his storytelling. He wrote the
Chronicles as "supposals"
"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior / are children born in
rather than allegories, but the overlapping aspects deepened our
one's youth" (v. 4). Having lost his wife, Lune's quiver is fuller
appreciation for both the human and divine authors.
than he knows. "They will not be put to shame / when they con-
tend with their opponents in [the gate]" (v. 5b, literally). As the
Ch. 1 "How Shasta Set Out on His Travels" / Ps 120
hermit tells Lion-wounded Aravis, sometimes there is nothing
(repentance*):
Going north as he had always longed to do,
to be done but to rest and wait. "...For he grants sleep to those
Shasta begins his escape from an abusive living situation after
he loves" (v. 2).
discovering he'd been deceived by his so-called father. "Save
So far in
The Horse and His Boy we've noted several in-
me, Lord, / from lying lips / and from deceitful tongues..." (v.
stances of eavesdropping: by Shasta on Arsheesh and their
2). "Too long have I lived / among those who hate peace" (v. 6).
guest; by Shasta on the Narnians in Tashbaan; by Aravis and
United by their foreign identities and the opportunity to make a
Lasaraleen on the Tisroc, Rabadash and Ahoshta Tarkaan in the
break with bondage, Bree and Shasta start the journey toward
old palace; and by Shasta on Rabadash and his troops outside
truth and freedom.
Anvard. Each of these overheard conversations proves to be a
Ch. 2 "A Wayside Adventure" / Ps 121 (providence):
crucial turning point for the plot. If Shasta had not heard his
One night after weeks of travel, Shasta and Bree face their first
"father" preparing to sell him, there would have been no start to
scare - and suddenly a much greater one. While they and Aravis
his journey north. If he had not learned how to navigate the de-
and Hwin eventually understand that the fear of lions drove
sert from Sallowpad the Narnian talking raven, he would have
them together for mutual benefit, they cannot recognize the pro-
had no reliable direction past Tashbaan. If Aravis had not heard
tection of the Lion's providence. "My help comes from...the
Rabadash's plan, there would have been no urgency to their
Maker of heaven and earth" (v. 2). "The LORD will keep you
desert crossing. And Shasta's hearing Rabadash way to Anvard
from all harm..." (v. 7).
prompted him to take the other path, not knowing it led over the
mountain to Narnia and reinforcements. Predictably, the effects
Ch. 3 "At the Gates of Tashbaan" / Ps 122 (worship): "I
of overhearing the Tisroc's secret meeting differ between
rejoiced with those who said to me, / `Let us go to the house of
Aravis - who is confirmed in her oposition to the evil laid bare -
the LORD.'" Bree, Hwin, Aravis and Shasta are glad to be ma k-
and her friend who believes might makes right. It is also in-
ing their escape to the north, but it is an alliance of convenience
structive to compare Rabadash's ambitions with those of Shasta
and joy is still a long way off. "Our feet are standing / in your
and Corin, the two other princes.
gates, Jerusalem." They are about to enter a city devoted to the
worship of the god Tash and to the service of an emperor called
Ch. 9 "Across the Desert" / Ps 128 (happiness):
a Tisroc...but they seek another (relatively unknown) realm and
Ch. 10 "The Hermit of the Southern March" / Ps 129
ruler.
(perseverance):
Ch. 4 "Shasta Falls in With the Narnians" / Ps 123
Ch. 11 "The Unwelcome Fellow Trave ller" / Ps 130
(service): Shasta endures contempt at the gates of Tashbaan.
(hope):
He and his party meet a mercy on a high street of the city that at
first it appears to be a new and mistaken mastery...
Ch. 12 "Shasta in Narnia" / Ps 131 (humility): The psalm
would seem to fit more with chapter 14.
Ch. 5 "Prince Corin" / Ps 124 (help): Empires like Calor-
men despise and try to "swallow whole" little nearby territories
Ch. 13 "The Fight at Anvard" / Ps 132 (obedience):
nearly a quote. The Narnians plan their escape from the trap
about to close on them. And Shasta escapes the temptation to
Ch. 14 "How Bree Became a Wiser Horse" / Ps 133
play along as Prince Corin when the real one shows up.
(community):
Ch. 6 "Shasta Among the Tombs" / Ps 125 (security):
Ch. 15 "Rabadash the Ridiculous" / Ps 134 (blessing):
Shasta's safety amid dangers real and imagined depends on a
*Themes from Eugene H. Peterson's exposition of these psalms in
A Long
hospitable Feline.
Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society (20th anni-
versary edition, InterVarsity Press, 2000). Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible,
Ch. 7 "Aravis in Tashbaan" / Ps 126 (joy):
Today's New International VersionTM TNIV® Copyright © 2001, 2005 by Inter-
national Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.
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