Psalm Meditation 1046
Proper 9
July 5, 2020
Psalm 136
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
A litany is a call and response liturgy in which the response is always the same. As a child in worship I thought they were boring because we had to say the same thing over and over. I also thought it unfair that the leader got all the variety while we were stuck with the same old same old. In seminary, the litany I had to write for a class had a different response every time. All these years later, I realize it was not a litany, and I have a deeper appreciation for what happens in the call and response of a litany.
The litany arose in a time before the majority of worshipers was literate so a repeated response allowed more people to participate in this act of worship. Whether worship was conducted in Latin or the local language there was the one phrase to learn in order to join in. In our more literate era the litany gives us the opportunity to have a concept reinforced by repetition. One of my mentors along the way told us that anything we hear at least ten times takes on a reality it did not have before. In this particular psalm, the consistent repetition of, “for his steadfast love endures forever.” serves as instruction and reminder that God loves us, forever.
I continue to think that litanies are boring, and I am not likely to use them as an act of worship. However, I am ever grateful for the reminder that God’s love is not something that comes and goes, it is not something that God offers and withholds depending on my behavior or some whim on the part of God. In the whole history of salvation, one of the constants, whether we have acknowledged it or not, has been God’s love, for his steadfast love endures forever.
June 30, 2020
LCM
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Monday, June 22, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1045
Proper 8
June 28, 2020
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)
We hear what we are listening for; a familiar voice, the song of a bird, a particular bird song, the sound of engine trouble, the voice of transgression, the voice of God. The psalmist knows that there are folks whose ears are tuned to the invitation to transgression, especially when that invitation includes the words, ‘Go ahead, no one is watching.’ Some hear the invitation, ‘Go ahead, no one cares.’ When we are so invisible that no one can see us because no one cares about us, we are drawn in quickly and easily by the voice of transgression.
The best among us has heard that voice from time to time. If we are never tempted to transgress, our good behavior means little. Three of the Gospels tell of the temptation of Jesus. It is important to note that part of what makes Jesus special is that he is ‘tested as we are, yet without sin.’ (Hebrews 4:15) Transgression speaks to us in our hearts, however that voice is drowned out by the sounds we want to hear more clearly.
More important than whether we pay attention to the temptation to transgression, is the steadfast love of God. The love of God knows no limit of reach. Wherever we are, whatever we hear, whatever we do, the steadfast love of God is standing with us, reminding us that we are not alone. We are seen, we are known, we are loved. We can ignore the love of God, however we can’t move far enough away from God to be out of the reach of the steadfast love of God.
June 22, 2020
LCM
Proper 8
June 28, 2020
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)
We hear what we are listening for; a familiar voice, the song of a bird, a particular bird song, the sound of engine trouble, the voice of transgression, the voice of God. The psalmist knows that there are folks whose ears are tuned to the invitation to transgression, especially when that invitation includes the words, ‘Go ahead, no one is watching.’ Some hear the invitation, ‘Go ahead, no one cares.’ When we are so invisible that no one can see us because no one cares about us, we are drawn in quickly and easily by the voice of transgression.
The best among us has heard that voice from time to time. If we are never tempted to transgress, our good behavior means little. Three of the Gospels tell of the temptation of Jesus. It is important to note that part of what makes Jesus special is that he is ‘tested as we are, yet without sin.’ (Hebrews 4:15) Transgression speaks to us in our hearts, however that voice is drowned out by the sounds we want to hear more clearly.
More important than whether we pay attention to the temptation to transgression, is the steadfast love of God. The love of God knows no limit of reach. Wherever we are, whatever we hear, whatever we do, the steadfast love of God is standing with us, reminding us that we are not alone. We are seen, we are known, we are loved. We can ignore the love of God, however we can’t move far enough away from God to be out of the reach of the steadfast love of God.
June 22, 2020
LCM
Monday, June 15, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1044
Proper 7
June 21, 2020
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)
We have projects and interests that allow time to pass and stand still at the same time. After what seems to be a few minutes we look out at the rest of the world and discover that hours have passed. We have been so intent on a particular interest that nothing has been able to distract us from what we have been doing. Eating and drinking have been ignored. We are on automatic. The only thing that has taken our attention has been the project we have focused on for the past several hours.
The psalmist is this intently focused on the presence of God. Gathered as a part of a congregation, the psalmist focuses in on works and attributes of God during this time of worship. It is possible that the time of worship has ended and the psalmist is so intent on living in the presence of God that there is no awareness of the lack of people in the room. We have the honor of receiving the goodness of the psalmist’s time in the zone with God.
A wonderful thing about having companions on our journey is that we get to share the skills and insights of those around us. Those on the journey together are able to point out vistas and insights we might have missed because our focus was elsewhere. We get to learn new things as our friends point out what we would have missed, as they teach us what they have mastered, and as we explore new skills and places together. When our journey includes being wholly, and holy, in the presence of God it is awe inspiring.
June 15, 2020
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Proper 7
June 21, 2020
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)
We have projects and interests that allow time to pass and stand still at the same time. After what seems to be a few minutes we look out at the rest of the world and discover that hours have passed. We have been so intent on a particular interest that nothing has been able to distract us from what we have been doing. Eating and drinking have been ignored. We are on automatic. The only thing that has taken our attention has been the project we have focused on for the past several hours.
The psalmist is this intently focused on the presence of God. Gathered as a part of a congregation, the psalmist focuses in on works and attributes of God during this time of worship. It is possible that the time of worship has ended and the psalmist is so intent on living in the presence of God that there is no awareness of the lack of people in the room. We have the honor of receiving the goodness of the psalmist’s time in the zone with God.
A wonderful thing about having companions on our journey is that we get to share the skills and insights of those around us. Those on the journey together are able to point out vistas and insights we might have missed because our focus was elsewhere. We get to learn new things as our friends point out what we would have missed, as they teach us what they have mastered, and as we explore new skills and places together. When our journey includes being wholly, and holy, in the presence of God it is awe inspiring.
June 15, 2020
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 8, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1043
Proper 6
June 14, 2020
Psalm 11
1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains;
2 for look, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence.
6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
(NRSV)
The larger the group, the more likely that one of them is a naysayer. This is the one whose first inclination is to go toward the negative interpretation of events. The psalmist is commenting on the potential influence of one or more of the negative folks as the group faces an adversary. This negative course has the worst case scenario already worked out in this situation. ‘It is time to run away while we still can. The bad folks have no concern about us, they are shooting in the dark to destroy whatever gets hit by arrows and we have no recourse but to save ourselves.’
The psalmist is happy to quote the negative voice as long as their words are surrounded by other words of trust in God. The psalmist knows that no matter what is going on in the world, God is with us, shielding us from the worst. Because we are on the side of God we can count on the activity of God around us. God knows the hearts of each one of us and will treat us according to our activity, as well as our relationship to God. Those out to get us will be the eventual recipients of a shower of fire and sulfur/brimstone.
If you don’t know who speaks the word of negativity in your group you may be the naysayer of you may be such a positive influence that you never hear the negative even if it is spoken directly to you. Either way, the psalmist encourages us to look to God in our best, our worst, and all the in between parts of our lives. God wants us to desire the presence of God in our lives and is gratified when we are open the that presence in all the times and places of our lives. God knows our hearts and loves us. When we willingly return that love we behold the face of God.
June 8, 2020
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 1, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1042
Trinity Sunday
June 7, 2020
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)
We have a picture frame in our kitchen with the unfinished sentence, “I love you because…” in the top part of the frame. We also have an erasable marker that allows us to finish the sentence. It is a place to compliment each other in a way that stands out. Since it is not a compliment that is heard once, it stands out as an enduring statement that can be consulted at any time, and is especially helpful when nursing a poor and needy heart.
While this psalm can be seen as an exercise in flattery, buttering up God in order to receive the help the psalmist desires, it is better seen as looking for the good in the midst of a painful situation. Using the psalm as a way to remind ourselves that the world is not as bleak as we currently see it, is a helpful contrast to our surroundings. The psalmist is doing the work of remembering what it is about God that makes it possible to turn to God in times of need. Then the psalmist commits it to writing as a constant reminder of who God is among us.
In a cynical mindset this psalm is an exercise in flattery, a way to convince God to do good things for us. In a faith-filled mindset, we see the psalmist listing reasons that God is dependable in every time. In this case, God is the most dependable when we are most in need. God does not need to be flattered, because God loves us, treasures us, forgives us, no matter what. We need to be reminded that God is with us at our best and at our worst.
June 1, 2020
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Trinity Sunday
June 7, 2020
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)
We have a picture frame in our kitchen with the unfinished sentence, “I love you because…” in the top part of the frame. We also have an erasable marker that allows us to finish the sentence. It is a place to compliment each other in a way that stands out. Since it is not a compliment that is heard once, it stands out as an enduring statement that can be consulted at any time, and is especially helpful when nursing a poor and needy heart.
While this psalm can be seen as an exercise in flattery, buttering up God in order to receive the help the psalmist desires, it is better seen as looking for the good in the midst of a painful situation. Using the psalm as a way to remind ourselves that the world is not as bleak as we currently see it, is a helpful contrast to our surroundings. The psalmist is doing the work of remembering what it is about God that makes it possible to turn to God in times of need. Then the psalmist commits it to writing as a constant reminder of who God is among us.
In a cynical mindset this psalm is an exercise in flattery, a way to convince God to do good things for us. In a faith-filled mindset, we see the psalmist listing reasons that God is dependable in every time. In this case, God is the most dependable when we are most in need. God does not need to be flattered, because God loves us, treasures us, forgives us, no matter what. We need to be reminded that God is with us at our best and at our worst.
June 1, 2020
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
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