Showing posts with label Psalm 118. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 118. Show all posts
Monday, September 2, 2024
Psalm Meditation 1264
¶Proper 18
¶September 8, 2024
¶Psalm 118
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+118&version=NRSVUE
(NRSVUE)
¶Years ago, I heard someone say that Larry Bird was a better basketball player than Michael Jordan. The reasoning was that Larry Bird had a had a way of making the whole team look and play at their highest level. Yesterday, I read an article about Caitlin Clark, also an exceptional player. When asked about her impressive performance, she responded in a way that reminded the journalists, and the readers, that basketball is a team sport. She talked about ‘we’ and ‘us.’
¶The psalmist uses singular pronouns, I and me, at the same time thanking God for having a large part in the victory. I can’t do what I do without a boost from God. It is God who gives me the skills that I develop through practice and perseverance. It is God who offers refuge in times of need, gives me courage to face the trials of the day, and helps me become one who uses my gifts in service to those around me whether I am in the role of a leader or a follower.
¶There are those who believe that they have earned and deserve everything they have. They don’t need anything from anyone, and no one else has any right to ask or demand anything from them. At the other end of the spectrum are those who believe that a lot of people contributed to any success they may enjoy, and it a part of being a responsible human being to share thanks, credit, and responsibility with those who helped in a given endeavor. “O give thanks to the LORD, for [God] is good,“
¶September 2, 2024
¶LCM
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Psalm Meditation 1086
Second Sunday of Easter
April 11, 2021
Psalm 118
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
There are several good reminders in this psalm, things that we can easily take for granted because we have depended so heavily on them for so long. It is in times of stress and trial that we need this word from the psalmist. First, we are reminded of the steadfast love of God. It is for everyone to receive, appreciate, and proclaim. Second, that God is right there with us as we go through the kinds of trials in which it seems everyone has turned against us. Third, that an excellent response to the love of God is to celebrate and be thankful.
It is possible to forget that much of what we take credit for in our lives is due to the steadfast love of God. It never wavers, changes, or ends. God loves us. It is a simple statement that carries so much weight. There are those who have grown up with this kind of love, and it becomes a part of them in way that it is an undercurrent in all of life that keeps them afloat whether they notice it or not. There are others for whom love is always conditional, it has to be earned on a daily basis. These are the folks who need an experience of God’s steadfast love.
When trials and pressures build up those who are missing the base level of unconditional love can grow hard and cold. When someone does offer them even the possibility of love they melt into it with sobs. Any time we can be the bearers of God’s love into the lives of those in need, we will offer ourselves as pillars of loving strength in the lives of those who, otherwise, have no one to love and care for them.
When we are able to give and receive the love of God as unconditional, we give all those around us a gift worth celebrating. The love of God is not something we earn, and is not something we deserve on our own merits. The love of God is a gift that we are offered, and invited to offer to others. It is a gift that is not diminished by sharing—it actually grows deeper, stronger, and wider the more we share it with those around us. Seeing that love grow in and around us leads us to join the psalmist’s celebration, “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
April 7, 2021
LCM
Monday, July 13, 2015
Psalm Meditation 787
Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Psalm 118
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in mortals.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
Alarm systems can be breached by someone who is intent on getting past them. Even if the alarm is triggered it is often possible to get in and out before anyone has time to respond. Also, guard animals can be bypassed in most cases. If someone can come up with a method of protection, someone else can come up with a way to get around it. Knowing that if one can make a way to protect something another will take it as a challenge to get past it will not stop folks from rising to meet the companion challenges. Wanting to protect something practically invites another to covet it.
The psalmist invites us to turn to God for protection. Does this mean that our stuff is now safe from harm or theft? Are we protected from any and all bodily harm because we have given ourselves over to God? The answer to both questions is, no. There have been times in which folks did believe that God protected people and things from loss and harm. I believe the protection of God means something very different.
When we give ourselves over to God for protection we have a new idea of what it means to be safe. To be in the arms of God is to be watched over and loved no matter what happens to us. It means to value things less and a relationship with God more. In plenty or in want, we are in the hands of God. In life or death, we are in the hands of God. We see things from the perspective of God’s abiding presence in and among us in a rich variety of ways.
July 13, 2015
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Psalm 118
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in mortals.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
Alarm systems can be breached by someone who is intent on getting past them. Even if the alarm is triggered it is often possible to get in and out before anyone has time to respond. Also, guard animals can be bypassed in most cases. If someone can come up with a method of protection, someone else can come up with a way to get around it. Knowing that if one can make a way to protect something another will take it as a challenge to get past it will not stop folks from rising to meet the companion challenges. Wanting to protect something practically invites another to covet it.
The psalmist invites us to turn to God for protection. Does this mean that our stuff is now safe from harm or theft? Are we protected from any and all bodily harm because we have given ourselves over to God? The answer to both questions is, no. There have been times in which folks did believe that God protected people and things from loss and harm. I believe the protection of God means something very different.
When we give ourselves over to God for protection we have a new idea of what it means to be safe. To be in the arms of God is to be watched over and loved no matter what happens to us. It means to value things less and a relationship with God more. In plenty or in want, we are in the hands of God. In life or death, we are in the hands of God. We see things from the perspective of God’s abiding presence in and among us in a rich variety of ways.
July 13, 2015
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 15, 2013
Psalm Meditation 670
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 21, 2013
Psalm 118
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in mortals.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
When we reach the point at which we are ready to give up, it is good to remember that the love of God is all around us, to build us up and sustain us through any and all situations. When we have fought off all the challenges and trials, and are left drained by the effort, God is there. When we stand victorious in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, God is there. When we feel beat up and broken, God is there. In all our battles, win or lose, God is there, loving us and holding us up.
At the end of those days in which we have been busy all day and have nothing to show for it, the day is a gift from God and the effort has not been wasted even if we are not aware what has been accomplished. On those days when we have done nothing, that day too is a gift from God and we can rejoice that we are in the presence of God. At some point in each day we do well to take a moment to recognize the presence of God in our lives, and the lives of those around us so that we can rejoice in God’s presence no matter what the day may hold for us.
On those days in which we feel as if we have been non productive, and on those days we feel as if we have been counter productive, it is possible that we have, through the agency of God, touched someone or done something that will make a positive difference in some small way. A life may be changed, a bridge may be built, a future may be altered by some word or act of ours that went by unnoticed by us and yet deeply touched another. And if we really were non productive or counter productive it can serve as a reminder that creation is not dependent on our constant store of productivity in order to function. Do we make a difference in the world? Yes. Does the world require our constant vigilance and activity in order to turn and function? No. God is the one who makes the world go round. God is the one who loves us beyond measure. Rejoice and be glad.
April 15, 2013
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 21, 2013
Psalm 118
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in mortals.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;
16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
When we reach the point at which we are ready to give up, it is good to remember that the love of God is all around us, to build us up and sustain us through any and all situations. When we have fought off all the challenges and trials, and are left drained by the effort, God is there. When we stand victorious in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, God is there. When we feel beat up and broken, God is there. In all our battles, win or lose, God is there, loving us and holding us up.
At the end of those days in which we have been busy all day and have nothing to show for it, the day is a gift from God and the effort has not been wasted even if we are not aware what has been accomplished. On those days when we have done nothing, that day too is a gift from God and we can rejoice that we are in the presence of God. At some point in each day we do well to take a moment to recognize the presence of God in our lives, and the lives of those around us so that we can rejoice in God’s presence no matter what the day may hold for us.
On those days in which we feel as if we have been non productive, and on those days we feel as if we have been counter productive, it is possible that we have, through the agency of God, touched someone or done something that will make a positive difference in some small way. A life may be changed, a bridge may be built, a future may be altered by some word or act of ours that went by unnoticed by us and yet deeply touched another. And if we really were non productive or counter productive it can serve as a reminder that creation is not dependent on our constant store of productivity in order to function. Do we make a difference in the world? Yes. Does the world require our constant vigilance and activity in order to turn and function? No. God is the one who makes the world go round. God is the one who loves us beyond measure. Rejoice and be glad.
April 15, 2013
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