Psalm Meditation 841
Proper 13
July 31, 2016
Psalm 97
1 The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The LORD loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
(NRSV)
The psalmist calls us to rejoice in the presence of God. For some people that means wearing the biggest smile anyone has ever seen on that particular face. For others it means a body shaking laugh with a bit of shouting thrown in. For still others it means dancing and singing that employs all the person’s energy and takes up all the space available for the celebration. That we each rejoice in different ways does not mean that one is more joyful than the other so much as it means that we express our joy quite differently.
As we express our joy in different ways, we also express our joy for a variety of reasons. This psalm could be a celebration of a victory over an adversary at the hand of God or awe at a natural phenomenon witnessed by the psalmist. Any one of us who rejoices will do so for a variety of reasons. We may revel in the beauty of a sunrise or sunset. We may celebrate the joy of new birth or another milestone in the life of a loved one.
For a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways we rejoice in the presence and in the activity of God in the world in and around us. As we rejoice in God’s activity we find ourselves drawn closer to God and the people of God. As we draw closer we find new and deeper reasons to rejoice in God’s presence as well as a desire to be ever more fully in the presence of God surrounded by God’s people.
July 25, 2016
LCM
Monday, July 25, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016
Psalm Meditation 840
Proper 12
July 25, 2016
Psalm 54
1 Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. Selah
4 But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
(NRSV)
When I am in an argument, I see myself as right and the other person or group as in the wrong. If that were not the case there would be no reason for the argument in the first place. That I see the disagreement through my own set of filters is normal and understandable. There are cases in which there is a hard and fast answer to the question at hand and those on the wrong side of the question are simply being belligerent or playing devil’s advocate. In most questions there is some nuance to the discussion that makes it a worthy topic.
The psalmist is probably facing more than verbal opposition. The nuance part of the issue is still present. There is something to be gained by those on both sides. The adversary wants something that the psalmist has. The ‘evil’ folks are convinced that the psalmist does not deserve this something, whether it is dignity, a right or privilege, or a material benefit of some kind. Whatever the situation the psalmist is on the weak side of the argument. These ‘others’ have power, influence and resources to take what the psalmist has; unless God intervenes to reset the balance of power.
Being stronger than my opponent does not make me right. Being weaker than my opponent does not make me wrong. Winning and losing is not about right and wrong as much as it is about power and influence. The interesting thing in the psalm is that one side calls on God to join the fight. Much as we would like to believe that God picks sides, it does not seem to be the case. God points us in the direction of the truth. The truth is not something that can be held by one person over another. The truth is found in some measure on every side. The task for each of us is to discover my truth and then listen and learn from the truth held by those around us.
July 18, 2016
LCM
Proper 12
July 25, 2016
Psalm 54
1 Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. Selah
4 But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
(NRSV)
When I am in an argument, I see myself as right and the other person or group as in the wrong. If that were not the case there would be no reason for the argument in the first place. That I see the disagreement through my own set of filters is normal and understandable. There are cases in which there is a hard and fast answer to the question at hand and those on the wrong side of the question are simply being belligerent or playing devil’s advocate. In most questions there is some nuance to the discussion that makes it a worthy topic.
The psalmist is probably facing more than verbal opposition. The nuance part of the issue is still present. There is something to be gained by those on both sides. The adversary wants something that the psalmist has. The ‘evil’ folks are convinced that the psalmist does not deserve this something, whether it is dignity, a right or privilege, or a material benefit of some kind. Whatever the situation the psalmist is on the weak side of the argument. These ‘others’ have power, influence and resources to take what the psalmist has; unless God intervenes to reset the balance of power.
Being stronger than my opponent does not make me right. Being weaker than my opponent does not make me wrong. Winning and losing is not about right and wrong as much as it is about power and influence. The interesting thing in the psalm is that one side calls on God to join the fight. Much as we would like to believe that God picks sides, it does not seem to be the case. God points us in the direction of the truth. The truth is not something that can be held by one person over another. The truth is found in some measure on every side. The task for each of us is to discover my truth and then listen and learn from the truth held by those around us.
July 18, 2016
LCM
Monday, July 11, 2016
Psalm Meditation 839
Proper 11
July 17, 2016
Psalm 147
1 Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14 He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the LORD!
(NRSV)
The world around us puts great stock in those among us who are the best at what they do. We want to be on the winning side and we idolize those who put in the effort to be the brightest and the best in their area of expertise. We want to know that the rest of the world envies us, or at least our chosen champions. In the US, we cultivate a mindset that if we are not among the best in the world at something it probably doesn’t matter. We want to win and we have been known to emphasize winning over everything else.
The psalmist describes God as one whose excellence is based in loving and giving. God provides for us, cares for us and watches over us out of a steadfast and abiding love for us. It has nothing to do with whether we deserve it, these gifts come out of the heart of God as a gift to us. God does take pleasure in those who stand in the divine presence with open mouthed awe soaking up and reflecting the love of God as a source of hope and wholeness in their lives.
There will always be a place for champions whose claim to fame is based in individual excellence powered by a drive to succeed; to be the best. The psalmist reminds us that there is also a place for excellence powered by the steadfast love of God. It isn’t about being the best so much as offering what we have as a gift to those around us. And the two types of excellence are not even mutually exclusive. It is possible to excel in an area of expertise and to be loving and generous with those around us. The important part is to be in awe of God, hope in steadfast love and Praise the LORD!
July 11, 2016
LCM
Proper 11
July 17, 2016
Psalm 147
1 Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14 He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the LORD!
(NRSV)
The world around us puts great stock in those among us who are the best at what they do. We want to be on the winning side and we idolize those who put in the effort to be the brightest and the best in their area of expertise. We want to know that the rest of the world envies us, or at least our chosen champions. In the US, we cultivate a mindset that if we are not among the best in the world at something it probably doesn’t matter. We want to win and we have been known to emphasize winning over everything else.
The psalmist describes God as one whose excellence is based in loving and giving. God provides for us, cares for us and watches over us out of a steadfast and abiding love for us. It has nothing to do with whether we deserve it, these gifts come out of the heart of God as a gift to us. God does take pleasure in those who stand in the divine presence with open mouthed awe soaking up and reflecting the love of God as a source of hope and wholeness in their lives.
There will always be a place for champions whose claim to fame is based in individual excellence powered by a drive to succeed; to be the best. The psalmist reminds us that there is also a place for excellence powered by the steadfast love of God. It isn’t about being the best so much as offering what we have as a gift to those around us. And the two types of excellence are not even mutually exclusive. It is possible to excel in an area of expertise and to be loving and generous with those around us. The important part is to be in awe of God, hope in steadfast love and Praise the LORD!
July 11, 2016
LCM
Monday, July 4, 2016
Psalm Meditation 838
Proper 10
July 10, 2016
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
(NRSV)
It is so much easier to define sin when we look at the actions and imagine the thoughts of other people. We know what behaviors are sinful because we have memorized the catalog of sins that other people are most likely to commit. At that point we become experts and are quick to pass judgment on those who do things we find abhorrent. We point our fingers at them and look to God for confirmation of our opinion. God nods that there is sin in progress without pointing to the sinner so we assume that our fingers are doing the pointing for God.
The psalmist reminds us that we are not as right as we assume we are. “When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent.” When we are sure that we are right and others are wrong we do well to lie down for a moment and think about what is going on. Yes, this other is probably guilty of some sin, and perhaps even guilty of the sin we see and would gladly point out. And, we may be guilty as well; guilty of judging in the name of God without the authority or perspective of God. We are quite likely guilty of a list of sins that escape our notice for one reason or another.
The psalmist also counsels us to give our heads and hearts a moment to catch up to each other. By being silent for a time we make time to realize that this other may not be as bad as we made them out to be as well as seeing that we may not be as pure as we assume we are. If we are to correct one another in love, we begin with love. If we can’t find it in ourselves to build the relationship that will lead to mutual correction, we serve God much better by offering right sacrifices and putting our trust in the LORD.
July 4, 2016
LCM
Proper 10
July 10, 2016
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
(NRSV)
It is so much easier to define sin when we look at the actions and imagine the thoughts of other people. We know what behaviors are sinful because we have memorized the catalog of sins that other people are most likely to commit. At that point we become experts and are quick to pass judgment on those who do things we find abhorrent. We point our fingers at them and look to God for confirmation of our opinion. God nods that there is sin in progress without pointing to the sinner so we assume that our fingers are doing the pointing for God.
The psalmist reminds us that we are not as right as we assume we are. “When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent.” When we are sure that we are right and others are wrong we do well to lie down for a moment and think about what is going on. Yes, this other is probably guilty of some sin, and perhaps even guilty of the sin we see and would gladly point out. And, we may be guilty as well; guilty of judging in the name of God without the authority or perspective of God. We are quite likely guilty of a list of sins that escape our notice for one reason or another.
The psalmist also counsels us to give our heads and hearts a moment to catch up to each other. By being silent for a time we make time to realize that this other may not be as bad as we made them out to be as well as seeing that we may not be as pure as we assume we are. If we are to correct one another in love, we begin with love. If we can’t find it in ourselves to build the relationship that will lead to mutual correction, we serve God much better by offering right sacrifices and putting our trust in the LORD.
July 4, 2016
LCM
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