Psalm Meditation 1286 ¶Fifth Sunday After Epiphany ¶February 9, 2025 ¶Psalm 2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%202&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶Even when we are listening intently to someone, and especially to God, it is possible to hear something other than what was intended. We run everything around us through the filters we have developed in our years and experiences. On top of, that we may hear the words as we misinterpret the tone of voice or miss a facial expression that changes the meaning of the word, phrase, or sentence. Yet again, some words have multiple meanings, for instance ‘nuts’ that can be used to hold the open end of a bolt or acts as a seed to plant peanuts, cashews, etc. ¶When God speaks to this psalmist king I have no doubt that God said, “You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. “ I suspect that the psalmist may have added the parts about breaking those nations and dashing them to pieces. How else would a ruler of that age take over a nation except by force? With many years of experience, and other forms of government available to us, we see that it is possible to engage another nations through peaceful means. Aaand, those peaceful means are more permanent than using force ever has been. ¶An important aspect of speaking and listening is knowing the other person. God’s ways are more aligned with peace, justice, and mercy than with needing to be the biggest and strongest and turning the world into a battlefield. God is much more likely to encourage the building of connection and community than in being overpowering. “Happy are all who take refuge in [God}.” ¶February 3, 2025 ¶LCM