Psalm Meditation 1342 ¶Third Sunday in Lent ¶March 8, 2026 ¶Psalm 47 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2047&version=NRSVUE ¶I grew up knowing that I lived in the greatest country on earth. We were the undisputed biggest, strongest, and fairest of all the nations in the world. Imagine how offended I was to discover that the United States of America was not the largest country, that we had rivals for all of the number one spots I thought we occupied firmly. And then I discovered that not everyone in the world liked us, at least as a nation. By the time I learned that most people in the world believe that they live in the best place on earth, I was ready to believe it. ¶The people of Israel believed that God was on their side, was willing and able to squelch all the peoples who dared rise up against them and their king, the iconic symbol of the nation. I was once again caught off guard to discover that Israel was never really a powerhouse of a nation. They were constantly being overrun by other nations, given and received in trade between other world powers of the day, and were a great nation only in their own minds. The one thing they had in their favor was the faithful assurance that YHWH was with them, watching over them, and keeping the king and the whole nation as a special object of steadfast love. ¶The nation did not win a lot of military battles, however they won a much more important victory. The people of Israel, and all the children of Abraham, won the hearts of many people from many nations. Even when that faith was appropriated and corrupted for the sake of political expediency, there was a faithful remnant that believed that the way of God was one of quiet faithfulness, mercy, grace, and a steadfast love for all people. ¶March 3, 2026 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1341 ¶Second Sunday in Lent ¶March 1, 2026 ¶Psalm 61 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2061&version=NRSVUE ¶Sometimes all we need to do is close our eyes, open our hearts and minds to be in the presence of someone who is not physically present, yet so much a part of us that we experience them as if they were with us in the flesh. It could be a parent, a friend, a mentor past or present, or, as for the psalmist, God. The physical environment has not changed, however, we can feel the change around us, as we call to mind the one who can lead us to a place of refuge and security against any onslaught. ¶The psalmist leans on the abiding presence of God in this time of crisis, reminding us that we can do the same. Knowing that God is with us we are able to face the ‘slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,’ and stand firm in the presence of all adversities as we are sheltered in the wings of God. As we receive refuge in the presence of God, we also know that we are surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses who choose to abide in the tent of God. ¶As we weather the storms of life in the presence of God, we feel our hearts lift and lighten. With lightened hearts we can more readily sing the praises of God for every gift that comes from God’s hand. ¶February 23, 2026 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1340 ¶First Sunday in Lent ¶February 22, 2026 ¶Psalm 62 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2062&version=NRSVUE ¶An activity enjoyed by some members of my family is to go into a woods and knock down dead trees. It can be seen as a public service as it keeps those trees, or even parts of those trees from falling on unsuspecting passers-by. Some people take this kind of activity a step farther, doing things like cow tipping or pushing down dilapidated walls or buildings. There is a sense of accomplishment in taking down something bigger than ourselves. Some people take a further step and work for the downfall of a person who has few reasons to be a target for that kind of animosity than their position of authority. ¶The psalmist is either one of those people or a close associate of someone being attacked due to their position or type of influence. Media celebrities are often scolded by those who disagree with them for expressing an opinion on a controversial subject. The barb flung their way is often along the lines of, ‘what makes them think their opinion is more important than mine, or that of some other celebrity with whom I happen to agree.’ The truth is they have just as much right as anyone to express their opinion. If their celebrity status gives them a broader ‘bully pulpit,’ so much better for the spreading of their opinion. ¶The psalmist reminds us that no matter whether we are powerful or celebrated, God stands with us when we are attacked for no other reason than the glee experienced by those who do the attacking. God is a rock and fortress for those who come under false and malicious attack, no matter who is doing the attacking. In geological time, or more accurately, in God’s good time, we are each a small and seemingly insignificant part of the whole scope of time. However, small as we might be, God cares for us and about us. We are each significant and steadfastly loved in the mind, heart, and hands of God. ¶February 18, 2026 ¶LCM lcmanifold@gmail.com http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/

Psalm Meditation 1339 ¶Transfiguration Sunday ¶February 15, 2026 ¶Psalm 64 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2064&version=NRSVUE ¶Research shows that some gossip is good for community building. We say what we know, and conjecture as to what that means in a way that is informative more than malicious. We see that we have little in common with a person or group, without saying that they are bad or evil, simply different. This helps set our alliances, for instance, who we can work with easily, and who will take more patience and openness. There is nothing that says we can’t associate with one of ‘those’ people, only that we will do well to keep our wits about us to keep from giving or taking offense as we work together. ¶“The secret plots of the wicked, … the scheming of evildoers,” are something very different. This is the kind of gossip that is shared with the intention of malice. We revel in finding the weaknesses of the ‘other’ and exploiting them to make a person or group feel out of place and as unwelcome as the community culture will allow. Anyone from ‘our’ group who fraternizes with anyone from ‘their’ group is viewed with suspicion and risks being painted with the same brush as ‘them.’ ¶The psalmist asks to be delivered from the evil type of gossip and scheming. There is also the hope and prayer that God will strike the gossips down with the same barbs they so maliciously wield toward others. It does seem that evil folks do eventually fall on the very evils they used against others. The word folks use these days is ‘karma.’ It is the return of energy expended on others onto the original wielder of that energy. Those who serve in humility may remain in the shadow of others, however, someone notices and is thankful. Those who mock, put down, and oppress others will eventually receive that treatment themselves. “Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him.Let all the upright in heart glory.” ¶February 9, 2026 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1338 ¶Fifth Sunday after Epiphany ¶February 8, 2026 ¶Psalm 54 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2054&version=NRSVUE ¶There is a familiar movie trope in which someone is getting picked on by a person or group and when their friend finds out about it, they set out to avenge the wrong. In some cases the victim lets the bullies know that they have this friend, and the bullies are not the least bit frightened by the prospect of having to deal with the friend. Most of the time the friend comes in and by stealth or bravado takes out the bullies thereby saving or at least avenging the victim. ¶The psalmist is being picked on by those who were being trusted with the psalmist’s safety according to the psalm’s ascription. David calls on God, YHWH, to serve as protector and avenger in this situation. The Ziphites are more interested in appeasing Saul than God. David asks God to deal with the Ziphites, especially since they don’t have the same priorities as David. David anticipates that God will repay these now enemies for the evil of going to Saul rather than turning to God. ¶It is important for us to realize that not every enemy of ours is an enemy of God. Sometimes, those who seem to stand against God are actually on the side of God and want to turn us back in the right direction. The task before each of us who wants to follow God is to recognize that our task is to ask that we align ourselves with God, rather than asking God to align with us. ¶February 2, 2026 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1337 ¶Fourth Sunday After Epiphany ¶February 1, 2026 ¶Psalm 48 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2048&version=NRSVUE ¶Many of us have a place that, to us, is more sacred and holy than it is to most people. For some it is a Disney park, a camp ground that is full of memories, a family heritage site, a place that holds some personal significance of life changing import, for others it is a person or group that feels like home no matter where they may be. For the psalmist, that place is Mount Zion. God has been there through thick and thin, victory and defeat. In this instance, the presence of God has made a positive difference, as adversaries gathered, saw the glory of the city and went their separate ways. ¶Once the groups of adversaries scatter, the people gather in the temple to “ponder your steadfast love, O God“ They know they have been delivered by the strength of the hand of God, visible in the strength and beauty of the city. The people may have built the city, however it is God who blessed the place and the work that went in to it. The psalmist does not take the presence of God for granted, celebrating it in all the parts of the city, especially in the gathering of the people in the temple, a beacon of and memorial to, the presence of God. ¶While we may not hold our cities and towns in the same reverence as the psalmist, we can still be aware that the presence of God is very much a part of anywhere and everywhere we may find ourselves. That awareness can bring us to the same sense of gratitude with which the psalmist begins, “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.” ¶January 26, 2026 ¶LCM

Psalm Meditation 1336 ¶Third Sunday After Epiphany ¶January 25, 2026 ¶Psalm 42 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2042&version=NRSVUE ¶People outside the Abrahamic faiths seem to think that if God, YHWH, comes to our aid it will be in a dramatic and readily visible way, with clouds and winds and giant chariots able to withstand even modern tanks and fighter jets. Their rhetoric is so convincing that some folks in Abrahamic faiths begin to believe that God will come in that way also. We have gotten used to the idea that anything from God has to be dramatic and awesome. Scripture, history, and experience tell a different story. ¶Events may seem dramatic to those who are in the midst of it, however they can almost always be pooh poohed away by those who want to doubt that God is active in our lives, let alone that God exists. For the most part God stays in the background, offering hope, and courage to those who need a prod in the direction of “positive peace, the presence of justice” MLKJ 1963. God stands at the front lines, the picket lines, the bread lines, etc. to be present with those who take a stand for grace, mercy, peace, and justice in the face of tyranny, oppression, might makes right authoritarianism, and other forms of injustice. ¶The psalmist is still ‘cast down’ however not without hope. Remembering all the ways that God has been active in the psalmist’s life and the struggles of the people and nation serves to lift spirits in the face of adversity. While the psalmist hopes that God will intervene in some direct and visible way, God tends to infuse hope, courage, and perseverance into those who live in the ways that lead to God, YHWH. ¶January 19, 2026 ¶LCM