Showing posts with label Psalm 31. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 31. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2025
Psalm Meditation 1318
¶Proper 20
¶September 21, 2025
¶Psalm 31
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2031&version=NRSVUE
¶In times of trial and uncertainty we seek out a person or place of refuge. We lean in to the comfort that comes from feeling safe, if only for a moment. I imagine that most of those reading these words turn to the God of the Bible for that sense of refuge. In the comfort of God’s presence we find the time and space to reflect on how God is working in the world, as well as how we can be co-laborers in that work. Knowing that God is with us, leading and guiding us, we find the wherewithal to move courageously into the world as people of God.
¶With the assurance of the rock solid presence of God in our lives, we can face the uncertainty of the world around us, and within us. I am convinced that the opposite of faith is certainty, rather than doubt. When we are certain, we have no need for faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) The presence of God in our lives is to give us the strength and courage to move ahead without certainty, believing that whether we succeed or fail in our tasks, we are held in the steadfast love of God.
¶After the psalmist pledges to seek refuge in YHWH, there follows a recital of reasons that God will offer that place of peace. Some of the reasons are because the psalmist is seeking to be a person of God. Most of the reasons are because God has a long history of grace, goodness, trustworthiness, and steadfast love directed toward those who seek to follow the way of God and beyond.
¶September 15, 2025
¶LCM
Monday, August 29, 2022
Psalm Meditation 1159
¶Proper 18
¶September 4, 2022
¶Psalm 31
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+31&version=NRSVUE
(NRSV)
¶One of my brothers-in-law once told me that several people on his team would come into his office and plop into a chair, obviously ready to vent about something. Before they got too wound up he would ask them, “Do you want me to fix this, or do you want me to hear it?” Once he had that settled, he could listen with the proper mindset. There are times we go to someone else so that we can hear ourselves say it out loud, knowing that there is a sympathetic ear focused on us. Other times we want advice and counsel to face a challenge that seems beyond us.
¶The psalmist turns to God for a listening ear as well as for protection from the slings and arrows that seem to be on every side. ‘If only there were someone who would listen to my fears and offer me comfort and protection from all that is going on around me.’ The psalmist is aware that God has been that listening ear as well as a fortress and refuge for many in the sweep of salvation history. Trusting in God to act in our own lives moves us closer to the refuge God offers to us.
¶God is not a helicopter parent, hovering over us to protect us from the slightest insult or injury. God is more like a free range parent, allowing to go where we will and do what we will with a few boundaries. God is also present and available to us at any time and place. As we turn to God for refuge we are given comfort as well as encouragement to go back into the world as soon as, maybe even a little before, we are ready to face the world and God’s abundant goodness in it.
¶August 29, 2022
¶LCM
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Psalm Meditation 1015
First Sunday of Advent
December 1, 2019
Psalm 31
1 In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.
(NRSV)
The theme running through this psalm is God’s steadfast love. In affliction, in grief, in the adversities and animosities of our daily lives the love of God is there to support us and uplift us. When we are caught up in illness and injury God loves us and supports us. When folks around us ask what we did to deserve such a fate, adding shame in addition to all else that is going on within us, the love of God stands firm within us. It points us to health as it releases us from any need to buy into the shame folks want to heap on to us.
When we are grieving the steadfast love of God is patient with us. When everyone around us is weary of our grief, perhaps counseling us to move on, God offers comfort and presence out of love for us. God encourages us to deal with it at our own pace without dwelling in it. Yes, there will be days of wallowing in our grief as well as days of facing it with hope and grace, always, always, always under the banner of God’s steadfast love.
When we face adversity and animosity, whether of our own making or not, God is a loving presence with us. The steadfast love of God allows us to see where we are at fault so that we can ask forgiveness and make reparations as well as seeing where we are the target of another’s ire.
It is a two way street of sorts. In order to receive the love of God we have to be open to it. Steadfast love is always present, as God is always present in each of our lives. When we are open to it and aware of it, we can feel the love of God in every part of life.
November 26, 2019
LCM
First Sunday of Advent
December 1, 2019
Psalm 31
1 In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.
(NRSV)
The theme running through this psalm is God’s steadfast love. In affliction, in grief, in the adversities and animosities of our daily lives the love of God is there to support us and uplift us. When we are caught up in illness and injury God loves us and supports us. When folks around us ask what we did to deserve such a fate, adding shame in addition to all else that is going on within us, the love of God stands firm within us. It points us to health as it releases us from any need to buy into the shame folks want to heap on to us.
When we are grieving the steadfast love of God is patient with us. When everyone around us is weary of our grief, perhaps counseling us to move on, God offers comfort and presence out of love for us. God encourages us to deal with it at our own pace without dwelling in it. Yes, there will be days of wallowing in our grief as well as days of facing it with hope and grace, always, always, always under the banner of God’s steadfast love.
When we face adversity and animosity, whether of our own making or not, God is a loving presence with us. The steadfast love of God allows us to see where we are at fault so that we can ask forgiveness and make reparations as well as seeing where we are the target of another’s ire.
It is a two way street of sorts. In order to receive the love of God we have to be open to it. Steadfast love is always present, as God is always present in each of our lives. When we are open to it and aware of it, we can feel the love of God in every part of life.
November 26, 2019
LCM
Monday, July 10, 2017
Psalm Meditation 891
Proper 10
July 16, 2017
Psalm 31
1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the LORD, all you his saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.
(NRSV)
Trusting God can be hard work because God doesn’t always deliver what we want, when we want, and in the way we want it. Some people decide to trust God in spite of this flawed delivery system and claim God as their own. They continue to trust God even when things don’t work out as anticipated. The good thing is that by trusting God folks discover that God can come up with some pretty neat alternatives that had not crossed the minds of those who put their trust in God.
Other people decide that because God is not willing/able to meet their needs as expected, God is not to be trusted. Because they don’t trust God they miss seeing the ways God acts to meet their needs and wants. They are disappointed often enough that they stop looking for or expecting anything from God. Their expectations, that God is not trustworthy, are met because they fail/refuse to see the ways God is at work in their lives.
Someone once pointed out to me that trust is first given and then earned. That is, I have to trust you with my wants and needs, or expectations and responsibilities before you can possibly deliver on them. I have to trust you with a responsibility before you can show yourself trustworthy. The psalmist makes the bold choice to trust in God and to say, “You are my God.” Once that step is taken the psalmist sees God at work in a variety of ways. It is entirely possible that God was already at work in the psalmist’s life and the activity was missed because the psalmist had no eye for the work of God without the companion choice of trust in God.
July 10, 2017
LCM
Proper 10
July 16, 2017
Psalm 31
1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the LORD, all you his saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.
(NRSV)
Trusting God can be hard work because God doesn’t always deliver what we want, when we want, and in the way we want it. Some people decide to trust God in spite of this flawed delivery system and claim God as their own. They continue to trust God even when things don’t work out as anticipated. The good thing is that by trusting God folks discover that God can come up with some pretty neat alternatives that had not crossed the minds of those who put their trust in God.
Other people decide that because God is not willing/able to meet their needs as expected, God is not to be trusted. Because they don’t trust God they miss seeing the ways God acts to meet their needs and wants. They are disappointed often enough that they stop looking for or expecting anything from God. Their expectations, that God is not trustworthy, are met because they fail/refuse to see the ways God is at work in their lives.
Someone once pointed out to me that trust is first given and then earned. That is, I have to trust you with my wants and needs, or expectations and responsibilities before you can possibly deliver on them. I have to trust you with a responsibility before you can show yourself trustworthy. The psalmist makes the bold choice to trust in God and to say, “You are my God.” Once that step is taken the psalmist sees God at work in a variety of ways. It is entirely possible that God was already at work in the psalmist’s life and the activity was missed because the psalmist had no eye for the work of God without the companion choice of trust in God.
July 10, 2017
LCM
Monday, September 28, 2015
Psalm Meditation 798
Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time World Communion
October 4, 2015
Psalm 31
1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” 23 Love the LORD, all you his saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.
(NRSV)
It is tempting to believe that we have been abandoned by God, and everyone else, from time to time in our lives. We feel broken and abandoned. A friend of mine would say that we feel ‘helpless, hopeless and worthless.’ Whatever comes we know that we will have to face it alone. It is a scary feeling. The sense of abandonment overpowers and overwhelms all of our emotions and senses. There is no room in our lives to feel anything but the fear that accompanies our sense of abandonment. We are paralyzed by fear. It is no fun to live through and no fun to look back on should we ever get through this time of fear and dread.
The psalmist is aware that God is present in some way all the time even when we have no idea how or where. In the depths of abandonment we, like the psalmist have the sense, “I had said in my alarm, “I am driven from your sight.”” We know that we are totally abandoned, even by God. However, the psalmist continues, “But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.” Even though we feel as if we have been left alone by everyone including God, the psalmist assures us that this is not the case. The psalmist mentions the presence of God and that is often accompanied by at least a few of the people of God who stand with us as well.
The feeling of abandonment is deep and real. In most cases, there is more to a situation than what we are feeling. At the deepest point of abandonment God is with us. At the deepest point of abandonment there are people waiting for an opening and opportunity to make themselves known to us. The psalmist’s advice, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.” is easier given than received. It is good advice nonetheless. It will not happen all at once and it will ebb and flow. Know that even though it feels as if you are alone, there is more to this than what you are feeling.
September 28, 2015
LCM
Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time World Communion
October 4, 2015
Psalm 31
1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—terror all around!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” 23 Love the LORD, all you his saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.
(NRSV)
It is tempting to believe that we have been abandoned by God, and everyone else, from time to time in our lives. We feel broken and abandoned. A friend of mine would say that we feel ‘helpless, hopeless and worthless.’ Whatever comes we know that we will have to face it alone. It is a scary feeling. The sense of abandonment overpowers and overwhelms all of our emotions and senses. There is no room in our lives to feel anything but the fear that accompanies our sense of abandonment. We are paralyzed by fear. It is no fun to live through and no fun to look back on should we ever get through this time of fear and dread.
The psalmist is aware that God is present in some way all the time even when we have no idea how or where. In the depths of abandonment we, like the psalmist have the sense, “I had said in my alarm, “I am driven from your sight.”” We know that we are totally abandoned, even by God. However, the psalmist continues, “But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.” Even though we feel as if we have been left alone by everyone including God, the psalmist assures us that this is not the case. The psalmist mentions the presence of God and that is often accompanied by at least a few of the people of God who stand with us as well.
The feeling of abandonment is deep and real. In most cases, there is more to a situation than what we are feeling. At the deepest point of abandonment God is with us. At the deepest point of abandonment there are people waiting for an opening and opportunity to make themselves known to us. The psalmist’s advice, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.” is easier given than received. It is good advice nonetheless. It will not happen all at once and it will ebb and flow. Know that even though it feels as if you are alone, there is more to this than what you are feeling.
September 28, 2015
LCM
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