Psalm Meditation 1351 ¶Sixth Sunday of Easter/Mother’s Day ¶May 10, 2026 ¶Psalm 71 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2071&version=NRSVUE ¶I remember reading several years ago that as we age, we lose some of our ability to judge the motives of others. Our defenses are lowered as brain synapses fire less reliably and we become easier prey for those who would take advantage of us. If can be deeply demoralizing to discover that we have been duped in ways that we had always been able to avoid in our younger days. This means that we do well to listen to the advice of younger folks who have our best interests at heart. ¶The psalmist recognizes the possibility that some unscrupulous folks may attempt to take advantage of this situation and asks God to be one of those who will stand up to offer support and protection. Because God has been a source of hope, trust, and support, the psalmist asks that this relationship will continue through the rest of life. The psalmist supports the request by outlining many of the ways God has been supportive from birth to the present, even though there are those who use the psalmist’s present state as a cautionary tale. ¶The psalmist pledges to offer continual praise to God for all the ways God has been supportive and the hope for that support to the end of days. I believe that the presence and blessings of God come to each of us, and the hearts and lives those of us who offer our praises to God are open to receive and recognize the gifts and the giver of those good gifts. “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have rescued.” ¶May 4, 2026 ¶LCM