Psalm Meditation 947
Proper 14
August 12, 2018

Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)

I thought this psalm was about praise and fear of the LORD and maybe next time it will be. This time it is about God providing for those who live in fear. This fear is not being scared, it is being in awe of God. It is the myterium tremendum, being excited and frightened all at once. It is wanting to approach and run away so that all one can do is stand and tremble. God sees our dilemma and provides sustenance out of a great love for us.

That providence feeds our excitement, that God cares enough to attend to us. The food God offers touches body and soul in a way that lets us know how very loved we are. In the presence of God we see ourselves as included in the depth and width of people who make up the family of God. We tremble with excitement as we partake of the sustaining bounty that God provides for us.

The providence of God scares us. There is something frightening about being noticed by those who have authority over us. We want what God offers to us even as we recognize that getting close enough to partake in the food we are offered also puts us close enough to be drawn in to something that has the potential of drawing us in a way that might make us disappear.

We stand in the presence of God, on the verge of running away from and into God’s hands. Will we be nurtured or crushed? “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” We continue to be in awe, to be trembling messes longing to be redeemed, longing to be drawn into the comfort of God’s loving presence.

August 7, 2018
LCM