Showing posts with label Psalm 111. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 111. Show all posts
Monday, December 18, 2023
Psalm Meditation 1227
¶Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve
¶December 24, 2023
¶Psalm 111
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+111&version=NRSVUE
(NRSV)
¶Do we get good things because we fear, are in awe of, God, or does our awe allow us to notice that the good things are gifts from God? All sorts of people get good things whether they are faithful to God or not. God is good, loving, and generous to us because it is the nature of God to do that. We don't earn or deserve good things from God, we get them no matter what. Our praise and gratitude don’t entitle us to God’s good gifts, praise and gratitude allow us to see all the ways that God works in our lives.
¶When things go well, and when they don’t, God is with us, accompanying us on our journey. God is present to celebrate with us in good times, to mourn and suffer with us in bad times, and to be with us in the day to day times. Whether we know it or not, or notice it or not, God is with us. There are folks who can recite long sections of Scripture. God is present with them. There are folks who know little more than a sentence about the love of God for the world and all that is in it. God is present with them. The hierarchy of the love of God is about how much we notice rather than about how much we receive from God.
¶When we offer thanks and praise to God we find ever richer and deeper reasons to offer them. As we look to God with gratitude, we see more simple and profound reasons to thank God for all that goes on in and around us. The more we experience and dwell on the wonders of God’s love at work in the world, the more we see the heights and depths of God’s involvement in all the rich variety of life in the world. “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.”
¶December 18, 2023
¶LCM
Monday, June 15, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1044
Proper 7
June 21, 2020
Psalm 111
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
We have projects and interests that allow time to pass and stand still at the same time. After what seems to be a few minutes we look out at the rest of the world and discover that hours have passed. We have been so intent on a particular interest that nothing has been able to distract us from what we have been doing. Eating and drinking have been ignored. We are on automatic. The only thing that has taken our attention has been the project we have focused on for the past several hours.
The psalmist is this intently focused on the presence of God. Gathered as a part of a congregation, the psalmist focuses in on works and attributes of God during this time of worship. It is possible that the time of worship has ended and the psalmist is so intent on living in the presence of God that there is no awareness of the lack of people in the room. We have the honor of receiving the goodness of the psalmist’s time in the zone with God.
A wonderful thing about having companions on our journey is that we get to share the skills and insights of those around us. Those on the journey together are able to point out vistas and insights we might have missed because our focus was elsewhere. We get to learn new things as our friends point out what we would have missed, as they teach us what they have mastered, and as we explore new skills and places together. When our journey includes being wholly, and holy, in the presence of God it is awe inspiring.
June 15, 2020
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Proper 7
June 21, 2020
Psalm 111
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
We have projects and interests that allow time to pass and stand still at the same time. After what seems to be a few minutes we look out at the rest of the world and discover that hours have passed. We have been so intent on a particular interest that nothing has been able to distract us from what we have been doing. Eating and drinking have been ignored. We are on automatic. The only thing that has taken our attention has been the project we have focused on for the past several hours.
The psalmist is this intently focused on the presence of God. Gathered as a part of a congregation, the psalmist focuses in on works and attributes of God during this time of worship. It is possible that the time of worship has ended and the psalmist is so intent on living in the presence of God that there is no awareness of the lack of people in the room. We have the honor of receiving the goodness of the psalmist’s time in the zone with God.
A wonderful thing about having companions on our journey is that we get to share the skills and insights of those around us. Those on the journey together are able to point out vistas and insights we might have missed because our focus was elsewhere. We get to learn new things as our friends point out what we would have missed, as they teach us what they have mastered, and as we explore new skills and places together. When our journey includes being wholly, and holy, in the presence of God it is awe inspiring.
June 15, 2020
LCM lcrsmanifold@att.net
http://psalmmeditations.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Psalm Meditation 947
Proper 14
August 12, 2018
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
I thought this psalm was about praise and fear of the LORD and maybe next time it will be. This time it is about God providing for those who live in fear. This fear is not being scared, it is being in awe of God. It is the myterium tremendum, being excited and frightened all at once. It is wanting to approach and run away so that all one can do is stand and tremble. God sees our dilemma and provides sustenance out of a great love for us.
That providence feeds our excitement, that God cares enough to attend to us. The food God offers touches body and soul in a way that lets us know how very loved we are. In the presence of God we see ourselves as included in the depth and width of people who make up the family of God. We tremble with excitement as we partake of the sustaining bounty that God provides for us.
The providence of God scares us. There is something frightening about being noticed by those who have authority over us. We want what God offers to us even as we recognize that getting close enough to partake in the food we are offered also puts us close enough to be drawn in to something that has the potential of drawing us in a way that might make us disappear.
We stand in the presence of God, on the verge of running away from and into God’s hands. Will we be nurtured or crushed? “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” We continue to be in awe, to be trembling messes longing to be redeemed, longing to be drawn into the comfort of God’s loving presence.
August 7, 2018
LCM
Proper 14
August 12, 2018
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
I thought this psalm was about praise and fear of the LORD and maybe next time it will be. This time it is about God providing for those who live in fear. This fear is not being scared, it is being in awe of God. It is the myterium tremendum, being excited and frightened all at once. It is wanting to approach and run away so that all one can do is stand and tremble. God sees our dilemma and provides sustenance out of a great love for us.
That providence feeds our excitement, that God cares enough to attend to us. The food God offers touches body and soul in a way that lets us know how very loved we are. In the presence of God we see ourselves as included in the depth and width of people who make up the family of God. We tremble with excitement as we partake of the sustaining bounty that God provides for us.
The providence of God scares us. There is something frightening about being noticed by those who have authority over us. We want what God offers to us even as we recognize that getting close enough to partake in the food we are offered also puts us close enough to be drawn in to something that has the potential of drawing us in a way that might make us disappear.
We stand in the presence of God, on the verge of running away from and into God’s hands. Will we be nurtured or crushed? “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” We continue to be in awe, to be trembling messes longing to be redeemed, longing to be drawn into the comfort of God’s loving presence.
August 7, 2018
LCM
Monday, September 22, 2014
Psalm Meditation 745
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 28, 2014
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
There are folks of whom I have been afraid at various times in my life: parents of some of my friends, teachers and professors, bosses, colleagues, church members and total strangers. In many of these cases I have overcome the initial fear and made lasting relationships with these folks. In others I found out too late that there were interesting aspects to these people that would have made for great relationships, if only I had made the effort to overcome my fears. All that to say that it is time for us to stop being afraid of God by the usual definition of fear.
I have had folks tell me their concerns while also saying it is too small a thing to bring to God in prayer. My relationship with these people is such that they can let me know what troubles them even as they are afraid to bother God with such a small thing. I don’t remember saying to them, ‘yes, that is a small thing and I wonder why you even bothered me with it.’ I am more likely to quote John Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist movement, “If it is worth worrying about, it is worth praying about.” The love God has for us extends to the most trivial of our concerns for our lives and the lives of those around us.
A better understanding of ’The fear of the LORD’ is to be in awe, to be amazed that one who is responsible for such works of honor and majesty also wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. This kind of fear draws us in and puts us at ease calming many of the other fears that we bring with us into the presence of God. It is as if the most famous person you would ever want to meet asks to spend time with you alone. It is intimidating and exhilarating all in the same moment. God wants to be invited into our circle. When we open ourselves to God we find that we open ourselves to wisdom and understanding, as well as to people and experiences beyond our current expectations.
September 22, 2014
LCM
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 28, 2014
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
There are folks of whom I have been afraid at various times in my life: parents of some of my friends, teachers and professors, bosses, colleagues, church members and total strangers. In many of these cases I have overcome the initial fear and made lasting relationships with these folks. In others I found out too late that there were interesting aspects to these people that would have made for great relationships, if only I had made the effort to overcome my fears. All that to say that it is time for us to stop being afraid of God by the usual definition of fear.
I have had folks tell me their concerns while also saying it is too small a thing to bring to God in prayer. My relationship with these people is such that they can let me know what troubles them even as they are afraid to bother God with such a small thing. I don’t remember saying to them, ‘yes, that is a small thing and I wonder why you even bothered me with it.’ I am more likely to quote John Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist movement, “If it is worth worrying about, it is worth praying about.” The love God has for us extends to the most trivial of our concerns for our lives and the lives of those around us.
A better understanding of ’The fear of the LORD’ is to be in awe, to be amazed that one who is responsible for such works of honor and majesty also wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. This kind of fear draws us in and puts us at ease calming many of the other fears that we bring with us into the presence of God. It is as if the most famous person you would ever want to meet asks to spend time with you alone. It is intimidating and exhilarating all in the same moment. God wants to be invited into our circle. When we open ourselves to God we find that we open ourselves to wisdom and understanding, as well as to people and experiences beyond our current expectations.
September 22, 2014
LCM
Monday, August 13, 2012
Psalm Meditation 635
Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time
August 19, 2012
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
We tend to find the things we seek. When we are looking for things that have or will go wrong, we will find them in bucketsful. When we are looking for things to go well, we will concentrate on the good things. When we are looking for reasons to blame God and others for the ill twists and turns of our lives, we discover ample cause to give God and others blame. When we are looking for reasons to give God thanks we can find all sorts of reasons. I imagine that there are as many reasons to complain as there are to praise, depending on the focus we bring to any given situation.
I once read that Woody Hayes, long time Ohio State football coach, would walk out for the first practice and say to the players, “First string over here; second string over there.” With notable exceptions on both sides, he discovered that folks separated themselves pretty accurately. He noted that we live into our expectations of ourselves. The psalmist invites us to see ourselves as blessed by God. God is gracious, merciful, provident, mindful, steadfast, faithful and just. The list goes on in the psalm and in our awareness. We see God reflected in our own expectations.
My hope is that even the most negative and cynical among us can teach ourselves to live into the invitation to praise offered by the psalmist. As we look for reasons to praise God and lift up those praises we will find that we are able to see even more reasons to praise. Like walking from the darkness into the light, we discover that our vision improves with time, practice and patience. We go from squinting in pain to an ever deeper appreciation of all that is now illuminated. We tend to find the things we seek. My hope for each of us is that we will seek the things of God.
August 13, 2012
Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time
August 19, 2012
Psalm 111
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
(NRSV)
We tend to find the things we seek. When we are looking for things that have or will go wrong, we will find them in bucketsful. When we are looking for things to go well, we will concentrate on the good things. When we are looking for reasons to blame God and others for the ill twists and turns of our lives, we discover ample cause to give God and others blame. When we are looking for reasons to give God thanks we can find all sorts of reasons. I imagine that there are as many reasons to complain as there are to praise, depending on the focus we bring to any given situation.
I once read that Woody Hayes, long time Ohio State football coach, would walk out for the first practice and say to the players, “First string over here; second string over there.” With notable exceptions on both sides, he discovered that folks separated themselves pretty accurately. He noted that we live into our expectations of ourselves. The psalmist invites us to see ourselves as blessed by God. God is gracious, merciful, provident, mindful, steadfast, faithful and just. The list goes on in the psalm and in our awareness. We see God reflected in our own expectations.
My hope is that even the most negative and cynical among us can teach ourselves to live into the invitation to praise offered by the psalmist. As we look for reasons to praise God and lift up those praises we will find that we are able to see even more reasons to praise. Like walking from the darkness into the light, we discover that our vision improves with time, practice and patience. We go from squinting in pain to an ever deeper appreciation of all that is now illuminated. We tend to find the things we seek. My hope for each of us is that we will seek the things of God.
August 13, 2012
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