Psalm Meditation 782
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
June 14, 2015

Psalm 67
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
7 May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
(NRSV)

When I think of praise, my first image is one of the noise and activity of people raising hands and voices in joyful celebration. Praising God for all the gifts given to us in a variety of situations. The next image is the excited noise of parents whose child has acted or reacted in a way that calls for positive reinforcement. A toddler learning to use good manners, a child learning to share with others, a young adult reaching a milestone of achievement each cry out for exclamations of praise. It is good to give and receive praise with the excitement that something good requires.

There is also the calm, quiet word of praise whispered into the ear of God, the ear of an adult child, or the ear of an accomplished friend or colleague. Though it comes quietly it is as heartfelt as the more noisy and active praise. These can be more memorable because they are more intensely personal. To offer praise to God, or to family, friend or colleague, in an intimate moment can draw us into deeper relationship.

There is a place for each type of praise. I believe that God appreciates hearing praise from our lips and hearts. Whether we express our praise with noise and motion or in quiet moments God is touched by our praise and our relationship together is deepened. “May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.”

June 8, 2015
LCM manifold@lightbound.com
lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/