Psalm Meditation 1147 ¶Trinity Sunday ¶June 12, 2022 ¶Psalm 19 1 The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens and its circuit to the end of them, and nothing is hid from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can detect one’s own errors? Clear me from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (NRSV) ¶I have learned that the things that annoy and anger us the most in others are the things that we ourselves do without owning the action. We can cluck our tongues at those who do the things on our list, and never notice that we may have just done that very thing. These are among “one’s own errors,” from which the psalmist asks to be clear. Is it even possible to be cleared of all those sins we commit without noticing them in ourselves? ¶The psalmist includes a list of ways to keep ourselves as pure as possible in the presence of God. They are various ways of exhorting us to learn and live the laws, decrees, precepts, commandments, fear, and ordinances of God. Each of these are synonyms for the ways God wants us to live as people and children of God. As we learn and, more importantly, incorporate God’s instruction into our daily lives, we become our best selves in the world. ¶Rather than spending our energy scolding and clucking our tongues at those around us, as they violate the teachings of God, we do well to look to our selves. If we must concentrate on others, what is it about their actions that annoys us, how am I guilty of the same thing, and what shall I do instead? “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” ¶June 8, 2022 ¶LCM