Psalm Meditation 1132 ¶Transfiguration Sunday ¶February 27, 2022 ¶Psalm 1 1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (NRSV) ¶Many of us can get one hundred compliments in a day along with one disparaging comment, and the one we remember is the discount. That one remark can ruin a day and stick with us far longer than any number of compliments. Those disparaging remarks burn themselves into our psyches and leave us wounded and gasping. Our thoughts are of revenge, to hurt that person as deeply as they have hurt us. Whether the critique is true or not, we want to find a way to get back at them for their brutality. ¶The psalmist tells us that God is not like us. God can and does hear our thanks and praise and soaks it all in. The remark that is meant to insult God is received, processed, and acted on appropriately by God. None of the evil intent is kept to fester. God has taken what is helpful and is ready to move on in steadfast love. ¶The psalm does invite us to be counted among the righteous so that we can continue to move in the ways that lead to God. That way is a fulfilling and sustaining way, as wholesome as a tree growing near a constant source of water and other nutrients. We are not left to wonder if we will ever experience steadfast love, we are held in an ever-flowing stream of it. As we live into the presence of God we may find that the insults of others, intended or not, are opportunities for growth and change. ¶February 21, 2022 ¶LCM