Psalm Meditation 935
Pentecost
May 20, 2018

Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; they make no sound in their throats.
8 Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.
14 May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to human beings.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time on and forevermore. Praise the LORD!
(NRSV)

According to the psalmist people become like the deities they worship, in whom they put their trust. Those who worship idols that do not and cannot speak, hear, or feel anything become unable to speak, hear, or feel anything themselves. They become absorbed into a culture that acts like those it worships. Those whose primary goal in life is to make money become so focused on the money that nothing else matters. Other people become competitors and instruments for the supply of money that is available. Everything and everybody is manipulated to achieve the goal of making more money for the one obsessed with money.

The psalmist encourages three all-encompassing groups to trust in God, the LORD. As Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the LORD trust in God they will be blessed. It may appear to be an exchange of trust for blessing, it is very different. When we put our trust in the LORD we open ourselves to an awareness that the blessings we have and will receive come from the LORD. Those who trust in the LORD find themselves becoming like the God they worship. While the psalmist says of God, “he does whatever he pleases” our response is to do what is pleasing to God.

We can worship that which seems satisfying but does not touch our souls or we can give ourselves to God, who speaks to us, hears us in a variety of ways, and feels our hurts and hopes while offering us ways to speak, hear, and feel the hurts and hopes of those around us. By receiving the blessing of God we have something to offer to those around us as well as giving our praise to God.

May 15, 2018
LCM