Psalm Meditation 937
Proper 4
June 3, 2018
Psalm 65
1 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed,
2 O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come.
3 When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.
4 Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
5 By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
6 By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
7 You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
8 Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
9 You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.
10 You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
11 You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,
13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.
(NRSV)
It is easy to take for granted anything that is dependable. Whether it be forgiveness, inclusion in the household of God, or water and food, once we get used to having it on a regular basis we expect it to be available every time we need or want it. Stories abound of people who do not see themselves touched by shortages in agricultural food supply because they get their food from the grocery store rather than from the farm. We can be just as shortsighted about forgiveness and our place in the presence of God. We see them as rights and privileges rather than as gifts we receive from God.
The psalmist is not in a position to take the gifts and providence of God for granted. Everything that happens is at the direction of God. Forgiveness is a gift that God gives to keep us from being overwhelmed by the weight of our own sin. To further protect and preserve us we are drawn into the presence of God as people who have a task and purpose in that place. The planting and harvesting of crops is possible because God provides a way for all the necessary steps to happen in proper time and order.
With our knowledge of science and technology we can see God as unnecessary or we can see our knowledge as confirmation of the participation of God in the world around us. Times of affluence can lead to taking all sorts of people and things for granted. The psalmist counsels us to be mindful of the presence of God. We may understand how a process works but that does not alter the part about it being a gift from God. “By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.”
May 28, 2018
LCM
Monday, May 28, 2018
Monday, May 21, 2018
Psalm Meditation 936
Trinity Sunday
May 27, 2018
Psalm 86
1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;
3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.
7 In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl.
17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
(NRSV)
Some days it seems as if my prayers rise up to emptiness rather than rising up to God. On those days it seems that God is, as defined by people in Sir Isaac Newton’s day, “the unmoved mover,” who set Creation in motion and then stepped back to watch it run without interference. In at least one read through, the psalmist is also worried that God is not listening to the cries of one who is poor and needy. Sometimes we keep piling up words and phrases in hopes of being heard.
In a more positive reading, the psalmist is giving praise for all that God is already doing; preserving life, gladdening the soul, loving and forgiving to name a few. God is already at work offering protection from the ‘band of ruffians’ seeking the psalmist’s life. And the psalmist gives thanks and glorifies God, no matter what. Any negativity gives way to the comforting assurance that God is actively present in each one of our lives.
Prayer is relational. When we pray for ourselves as the psalmist does here, we participate in a relationship with God. When we pray for others, we join with God in a relationship with the ones for whom we pray. We offer our concern to God who acts in the lives of those for whom we pray. At the same time God points us to those things we can do for those for whom we pray.
May 21, 2018
LCM
Trinity Sunday
May 27, 2018
Psalm 86
1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;
3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.
7 In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl.
17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
(NRSV)
Some days it seems as if my prayers rise up to emptiness rather than rising up to God. On those days it seems that God is, as defined by people in Sir Isaac Newton’s day, “the unmoved mover,” who set Creation in motion and then stepped back to watch it run without interference. In at least one read through, the psalmist is also worried that God is not listening to the cries of one who is poor and needy. Sometimes we keep piling up words and phrases in hopes of being heard.
In a more positive reading, the psalmist is giving praise for all that God is already doing; preserving life, gladdening the soul, loving and forgiving to name a few. God is already at work offering protection from the ‘band of ruffians’ seeking the psalmist’s life. And the psalmist gives thanks and glorifies God, no matter what. Any negativity gives way to the comforting assurance that God is actively present in each one of our lives.
Prayer is relational. When we pray for ourselves as the psalmist does here, we participate in a relationship with God. When we pray for others, we join with God in a relationship with the ones for whom we pray. We offer our concern to God who acts in the lives of those for whom we pray. At the same time God points us to those things we can do for those for whom we pray.
May 21, 2018
LCM
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Psalm Meditation 935
Pentecost
May 20, 2018
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; they make no sound in their throats.
8 Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.
14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to human beings.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time on and forevermore. Praise the LORD!
(NRSV)
According to the psalmist people become like the deities they worship, in whom they put their trust. Those who worship idols that do not and cannot speak, hear, or feel anything become unable to speak, hear, or feel anything themselves. They become absorbed into a culture that acts like those it worships. Those whose primary goal in life is to make money become so focused on the money that nothing else matters. Other people become competitors and instruments for the supply of money that is available. Everything and everybody is manipulated to achieve the goal of making more money for the one obsessed with money.
The psalmist encourages three all-encompassing groups to trust in God, the LORD. As Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the LORD trust in God they will be blessed. It may appear to be an exchange of trust for blessing, it is very different. When we put our trust in the LORD we open ourselves to an awareness that the blessings we have and will receive come from the LORD. Those who trust in the LORD find themselves becoming like the God they worship. While the psalmist says of God, “he does whatever he pleases” our response is to do what is pleasing to God.
We can worship that which seems satisfying but does not touch our souls or we can give ourselves to God, who speaks to us, hears us in a variety of ways, and feels our hurts and hopes while offering us ways to speak, hear, and feel the hurts and hopes of those around us. By receiving the blessing of God we have something to offer to those around us as well as giving our praise to God.
May 15, 2018
LCM
Pentecost
May 20, 2018
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; they make no sound in their throats.
8 Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.
14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to human beings.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time on and forevermore. Praise the LORD!
(NRSV)
According to the psalmist people become like the deities they worship, in whom they put their trust. Those who worship idols that do not and cannot speak, hear, or feel anything become unable to speak, hear, or feel anything themselves. They become absorbed into a culture that acts like those it worships. Those whose primary goal in life is to make money become so focused on the money that nothing else matters. Other people become competitors and instruments for the supply of money that is available. Everything and everybody is manipulated to achieve the goal of making more money for the one obsessed with money.
The psalmist encourages three all-encompassing groups to trust in God, the LORD. As Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the LORD trust in God they will be blessed. It may appear to be an exchange of trust for blessing, it is very different. When we put our trust in the LORD we open ourselves to an awareness that the blessings we have and will receive come from the LORD. Those who trust in the LORD find themselves becoming like the God they worship. While the psalmist says of God, “he does whatever he pleases” our response is to do what is pleasing to God.
We can worship that which seems satisfying but does not touch our souls or we can give ourselves to God, who speaks to us, hears us in a variety of ways, and feels our hurts and hopes while offering us ways to speak, hear, and feel the hurts and hopes of those around us. By receiving the blessing of God we have something to offer to those around us as well as giving our praise to God.
May 15, 2018
LCM
Monday, May 7, 2018
Psalm Meditation 934
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 13, 2018
Psalm 36
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
(NRSV)
I imagine the psalmist and I agree on one of the motivations for sin even though we express it differently. The psalmist says, “they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated” and I believe we rationalize our own behavior so that it is not sin in our eyes. There is no reason for our sin to be found out and hated because ours is not really sin. We are providing a service, inviting people to participate in something we enjoy, helping them experience something besides the dullness of their existence. How could that possibly be a bad thing?
We may even judge others harshly for the same activity and continue to practice that sin without ever seeing our lives as sinful. My psychologist friends call it our shadow life. The things that annoy us most about others are things of which we too are guilty. We convince ourselves that it is a harmless distraction when we do it and a terrible sin when we see others involved. On top of that we know our motives are innocent and we assume the worst possible motivation for the other. Because our motives are pure we deserve a place in the steadfast love of God, and all those others are among those “thrust down, unable to rise.”
Sometimes it is good to look at ourselves more carefully than usual. We may see something about ourselves that needs addressing through confession and repentance. Sometimes we are bothered by things in others that are so unlike us that we can’t understand how anyone could behave that way. Often we are troubled by actions that are present and denied in us. Perhaps as we take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings we can see that there is a place for those we are quick to judge as well.
May 7, 2018
LCM
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 13, 2018
Psalm 36
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
(NRSV)
I imagine the psalmist and I agree on one of the motivations for sin even though we express it differently. The psalmist says, “they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated” and I believe we rationalize our own behavior so that it is not sin in our eyes. There is no reason for our sin to be found out and hated because ours is not really sin. We are providing a service, inviting people to participate in something we enjoy, helping them experience something besides the dullness of their existence. How could that possibly be a bad thing?
We may even judge others harshly for the same activity and continue to practice that sin without ever seeing our lives as sinful. My psychologist friends call it our shadow life. The things that annoy us most about others are things of which we too are guilty. We convince ourselves that it is a harmless distraction when we do it and a terrible sin when we see others involved. On top of that we know our motives are innocent and we assume the worst possible motivation for the other. Because our motives are pure we deserve a place in the steadfast love of God, and all those others are among those “thrust down, unable to rise.”
Sometimes it is good to look at ourselves more carefully than usual. We may see something about ourselves that needs addressing through confession and repentance. Sometimes we are bothered by things in others that are so unlike us that we can’t understand how anyone could behave that way. Often we are troubled by actions that are present and denied in us. Perhaps as we take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings we can see that there is a place for those we are quick to judge as well.
May 7, 2018
LCM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)