Showing posts with label Psalm 102. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 102. Show all posts
Monday, February 19, 2024
Psalm Meditation 1236
¶Second Sunday in Lent
¶February 25, 2024
¶Psalm 102
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+102&version=NRSVUE
(NRSV)
¶When we are beaten down by internal or external forces, time slows to a crawl and everything negative gets amplified and drawn out. The forces pressing on us have been present forever, it seems, and the pain it causes is deeper, duller, and more long lasting than anything we have ever experienced. No one can possibly know the depths of pain that will neither kill us nor make us stronger. We are left to experience this in a lonely cycle of intense pain followed by dull, throbbing nothingness.
¶This is what the psalmist is experiencing. The pain is endless, without being intense. The psalmist is drained of energy to the point that even eating is to much of a trial. Not being able to invest enough energy to eat drains off more the physical resources that might lead to a way up and out. The psalmist feels the physical aches along with the soul ache of loneliness and abandonment. At the lowest point, it seems that even God has turned away and left the psalmist to suffer alone. Even from the depths of despair, the psalmist refuses to abandon hope in God.
¶That is a good place to be. It may begin with speaking a word of hope without believing it. What we hear often enough begins to be believable, and so we are able to have a glimmer of hope. For some, words of hope are enough to lift the lid on the despair they feel, others will need a little more and some will need a lot more. The psalmist goes back and forth between personal despair and the hope that God cares for and will rescue and redeem people for generations to come.
¶February 19, 2024
¶LCM
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Psalm Meditation 990
Pentecost
June 9, 2019
Psalm 102
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call.
3 For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass; I am too wasted to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my skin.
6 I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the waste places.
7 I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread, and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger; for you have lifted me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust.
15 The nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the Lord will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die;
21 so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.
23 He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “do not take me away at the midpoint of my life, you whose years endure throughout all generations.”
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in your presence.
(NRSV)
When I am distressed I question everything. Do I have a place in the world, does God love me, is there a God? Those are just a few of the questions that have a connection with the psalm. The distress clouds all my thoughts and leads me down paths that color everything the darkest shade possible.
I push myself to remember good things that God has done in my presence, past and present. Sometimes it is a bad thing as I think that God has done those thing in the past, and is doing those things for people around me. That must mean that God is done with me, since I am going through this distressing situation by myself. Other times it is a good thing as I am able to anticipate those same kinds of good things in the future. The God who has claimed me as a child, loves me and will care for me as I have been cared for in the past.
Distress can be brutal as it darkens our perception of all around us. Our hope is to look to God, to see that in our darkest moments we are not alone. We have the support of God who is with us no matter what. We may have something to learn, we may have a price to pay for an action of our own or someone else, we may be the victim of something random over which we have no control. God endures and holds us in loving and powerful hands.
June 6, 2019
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Pentecost
June 9, 2019
Psalm 102
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call.
3 For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass; I am too wasted to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my skin.
6 I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the waste places.
7 I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread, and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger; for you have lifted me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust.
15 The nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the Lord will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die;
21 so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.
23 He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.
24 “O my God,” I say, “do not take me away at the midpoint of my life, you whose years endure throughout all generations.”
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in your presence.
(NRSV)
When I am distressed I question everything. Do I have a place in the world, does God love me, is there a God? Those are just a few of the questions that have a connection with the psalm. The distress clouds all my thoughts and leads me down paths that color everything the darkest shade possible.
I push myself to remember good things that God has done in my presence, past and present. Sometimes it is a bad thing as I think that God has done those thing in the past, and is doing those things for people around me. That must mean that God is done with me, since I am going through this distressing situation by myself. Other times it is a good thing as I am able to anticipate those same kinds of good things in the future. The God who has claimed me as a child, loves me and will care for me as I have been cared for in the past.
Distress can be brutal as it darkens our perception of all around us. Our hope is to look to God, to see that in our darkest moments we are not alone. We have the support of God who is with us no matter what. We may have something to learn, we may have a price to pay for an action of our own or someone else, we may be the victim of something random over which we have no control. God endures and holds us in loving and powerful hands.
June 6, 2019
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 20, 2016
Psalm Meditation 836
Proper 8
June 26, 2016
Psalm 102
1 LORD, hear my prayer! Let my cry reach you!
2 Don’t hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! Answer me quickly as I cry out!
3 Because my days disappear like smoke, my bones are burned up as if in an oven;
4 my heart is smashed like dried-up grass. I even forget to eat my food
5 because of my intense groans. My bones are protruding from my skin.
6 I’m like some wild owl—like some screech owl in the desert.
7 I lie awake all night. I’m all alone like a bird on a roof.
8 All day long my enemies make fun of me; those who mock me curse using my name!
9 I’ve been eating ashes instead of bread. I’ve been mixing tears into my drinks
10 because of your anger and wrath, because you picked me up and threw me away.
11 My days are like a shadow soon gone. I’m dried up like dead grass.
12 But you, LORD, rule forever! Your fame lasts from one generation to the next!
13 You will stand up—you’ll have compassion on Zion because it is time to have mercy on her—the time set for that has now come!
14 Your servants cherish Zion’s stones; they show mercy even to her dirt.
15 The nations will honor the LORD’s name; all the earth’s rulers will honor your glory
16 because the LORD will rebuild Zion; he will be seen there in his glory.
17 God will turn to the prayer of the impoverished; he won’t despise their prayers.
18 Let this be written down for the next generation so that people not yet created will praise the LORD:
19 The LORD looked down from his holy summit, surveyed the earth from heaven,
20 to hear the prisoners’ groans, to set free those condemned to death,
21 that the LORD’s name may be declared in Zion and his praise declared in Jerusalem,
22 when all people are gathered together—all kingdoms—to serve the LORD.
23 God broke my strength in midstride, cutting my days short.
24 I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the prime of life—your years go on from one generation to the next!
25 You laid the earth’s foundations long ago; the skies are your handiwork.
26 These things will pass away, but you will last. All of these things will wear out like clothing; you change them like clothes, and they pass on.
27 But you are the one! Your years never end!
28 Let your servants’ children live safe; let your servants’ descendants live secure in your presence.”
(NRSV)
Prayer can be an interesting exercise, especially in times of deep distress. We offer our prayers of distress coupled with doubt. We have our doubts about God hearing our prayers and, in the event those prayers are heard, will there be a response anywhere close to what we want. At times, we go so far as to wonder if God is there at all. We feel as if we are wasting our breath talking to one who does not exist; if God does exist, is there any connection between us and God? However, we are praying and that indicates a desire, longing and need for God in our lives.
There is evidence from prehistoric times to the present that people have felt that need for something larger than the individual as well as the collective sense of being and belonging. One of the ways the Abrahamic faiths express that need and longing is through prayer and singing to and about God and our relationships centered in God. The psalmists lift up prayers of despair and rejoicing as well as the needs and wants that fall in between those extremes.
Yes, we wonder if God hears and responds to our prayers. We wonder for all sorts of reasons and in all sorts of situations. Through it all there continue to be people who pray, who lift the people, places and events that weigh on their hearts to the power and presence of God. Sometimes it is all we can do. Sometimes our prayers embolden us, instruct us or energize us to act in concert with God for the meeting of the needs of those around us. My experience has been that prayer does not change the events around me, prayer changes me.
June 20, 2016
LCM
Proper 8
June 26, 2016
Psalm 102
1 LORD, hear my prayer! Let my cry reach you!
2 Don’t hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! Answer me quickly as I cry out!
3 Because my days disappear like smoke, my bones are burned up as if in an oven;
4 my heart is smashed like dried-up grass. I even forget to eat my food
5 because of my intense groans. My bones are protruding from my skin.
6 I’m like some wild owl—like some screech owl in the desert.
7 I lie awake all night. I’m all alone like a bird on a roof.
8 All day long my enemies make fun of me; those who mock me curse using my name!
9 I’ve been eating ashes instead of bread. I’ve been mixing tears into my drinks
10 because of your anger and wrath, because you picked me up and threw me away.
11 My days are like a shadow soon gone. I’m dried up like dead grass.
12 But you, LORD, rule forever! Your fame lasts from one generation to the next!
13 You will stand up—you’ll have compassion on Zion because it is time to have mercy on her—the time set for that has now come!
14 Your servants cherish Zion’s stones; they show mercy even to her dirt.
15 The nations will honor the LORD’s name; all the earth’s rulers will honor your glory
16 because the LORD will rebuild Zion; he will be seen there in his glory.
17 God will turn to the prayer of the impoverished; he won’t despise their prayers.
18 Let this be written down for the next generation so that people not yet created will praise the LORD:
19 The LORD looked down from his holy summit, surveyed the earth from heaven,
20 to hear the prisoners’ groans, to set free those condemned to death,
21 that the LORD’s name may be declared in Zion and his praise declared in Jerusalem,
22 when all people are gathered together—all kingdoms—to serve the LORD.
23 God broke my strength in midstride, cutting my days short.
24 I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the prime of life—your years go on from one generation to the next!
25 You laid the earth’s foundations long ago; the skies are your handiwork.
26 These things will pass away, but you will last. All of these things will wear out like clothing; you change them like clothes, and they pass on.
27 But you are the one! Your years never end!
28 Let your servants’ children live safe; let your servants’ descendants live secure in your presence.”
(NRSV)
Prayer can be an interesting exercise, especially in times of deep distress. We offer our prayers of distress coupled with doubt. We have our doubts about God hearing our prayers and, in the event those prayers are heard, will there be a response anywhere close to what we want. At times, we go so far as to wonder if God is there at all. We feel as if we are wasting our breath talking to one who does not exist; if God does exist, is there any connection between us and God? However, we are praying and that indicates a desire, longing and need for God in our lives.
There is evidence from prehistoric times to the present that people have felt that need for something larger than the individual as well as the collective sense of being and belonging. One of the ways the Abrahamic faiths express that need and longing is through prayer and singing to and about God and our relationships centered in God. The psalmists lift up prayers of despair and rejoicing as well as the needs and wants that fall in between those extremes.
Yes, we wonder if God hears and responds to our prayers. We wonder for all sorts of reasons and in all sorts of situations. Through it all there continue to be people who pray, who lift the people, places and events that weigh on their hearts to the power and presence of God. Sometimes it is all we can do. Sometimes our prayers embolden us, instruct us or energize us to act in concert with God for the meeting of the needs of those around us. My experience has been that prayer does not change the events around me, prayer changes me.
June 20, 2016
LCM
Monday, September 9, 2013
Psalm Meditation 691
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 15, 2013
Psalm 102 (selected verses)
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you.
5 Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my skin.
6 I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the waste places.
7 I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
11 My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust.
15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the LORD will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD:
19 that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die;
21 so that the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. you change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in your presence.
(NRSV)
We tend to believe that God looks with favor on those who have wealth, popularity and possessions. It only seems right that the folks with lots of stuff have all that stuff because of God’s blessing on their lives. At least, that is the thinking of those of us who have more than a large percentage of the world’s population will ever dream of having. While there are those who have lots more than we have, there are considerably more who have a lot less than we have. It is always tempting to believe that we are among those blessed by God.
The psalmist reminds us that our God, Yahweh, has a heart for those who do not have a lot of stuff. God gives a different set of rich blessings to those who do not have a lot of material resources at their command. For several years research has shown that the most generous class of folks are those who are in poverty. They know what it is like to be without and if they can help someone else they are willing to do as they are able. As folks share limited resources, they also build strong communities based on shared suffering as well as shared resources. While having stuff may seem to be more fun, having a community full of relationships is more lasting and more fulfilling.
Those of us with stuff do well to build relationships with those who seem to be in want. It is possible that they will teach us how to live with less as they teach us about their real needs. We might also learn the importance of relationships, over having everything we think we might need. While God really does love each of us, it is those who relish the importance of relationship with God and with others who are most attuned to the love God offers.
September 9, 2013
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 15, 2013
Psalm 102 (selected verses)
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you.
5 Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my skin.
6 I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the waste places.
7 I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
11 My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust.
15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the LORD will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD:
19 that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die;
21 so that the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. you change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in your presence.
(NRSV)
We tend to believe that God looks with favor on those who have wealth, popularity and possessions. It only seems right that the folks with lots of stuff have all that stuff because of God’s blessing on their lives. At least, that is the thinking of those of us who have more than a large percentage of the world’s population will ever dream of having. While there are those who have lots more than we have, there are considerably more who have a lot less than we have. It is always tempting to believe that we are among those blessed by God.
The psalmist reminds us that our God, Yahweh, has a heart for those who do not have a lot of stuff. God gives a different set of rich blessings to those who do not have a lot of material resources at their command. For several years research has shown that the most generous class of folks are those who are in poverty. They know what it is like to be without and if they can help someone else they are willing to do as they are able. As folks share limited resources, they also build strong communities based on shared suffering as well as shared resources. While having stuff may seem to be more fun, having a community full of relationships is more lasting and more fulfilling.
Those of us with stuff do well to build relationships with those who seem to be in want. It is possible that they will teach us how to live with less as they teach us about their real needs. We might also learn the importance of relationships, over having everything we think we might need. While God really does love each of us, it is those who relish the importance of relationship with God and with others who are most attuned to the love God offers.
September 9, 2013
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