Showing posts with label Psalm 9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 9. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Psalm Meditation 1298
¶Third Sunday of Easter
¶May 4, 2025
¶Psalm 9
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%209&version=NRSVUE
¶Every now and then, we notice how much we have to be thankful for and our hearts and minds explode with thankfulness. Something as simple as turning on the faucet to get hot water, or any temperature water, was unheard of not that long ago. And that is one of the simple things that we usually take for granted. Fortunately, we have moments from time to time in which we are overwhelmed by the gifts we have come to expect from the hand of God through the marvels of modernity.
¶Part of my mealtime prayer is to thank God for all the people who had anything to do with bringing the meal to the table and for all those who will clean up after us. When I began using these words I thought of family and friends who had bought the food, prepared, and served it. As time has passed, I have become aware that the grocery shelves did not stock themselves, that the products did not arrive at the grocery on their own, that the packaging did not simply appear, the farmers and producers had to have seeds, machinery and so on that had to come from somewhere. And that is just the supply side. The disposal side is just as long and involved. If I were to name all of the groups involved in getting a meal to the table, including the folks who built the table and chairs, my food would be cold by the time I finished my prayer.
¶When we follow the trail of our thankfulness back through all the sources, we eventually work our way to God whose providence, seeing our need before we notice, and all the ways and all the things, people, etc that provide for the needs we have. God watches out for us and provides for us in times of plenty and in times of want, in ways we notice and ways we miss. “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1)
¶April 29, 2025
¶LCM
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Psalm Meditation 1140
¶Second Sunday of Easter
¶April 24, 2022
¶Psalm 9
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before you.
4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever, he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples.
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O LORD. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
14 so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
16 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17 The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19 Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
(NRSV)
¶When a fight breaks out, it is likely that a crowd will gather. In some cases the crowd gathers before the fight starts to egg on and encourage the fighters. Imagine that God is in the circle and we are interested onlookers. We want God to defend our honor, to destroy those who have picked on us for far too long with no relief in sight. Now that God is on the scene we are getting ourselves all pumped up for the beating that God is about to hand down to everyone who has ever crossed us.
¶It is an intriguing image, and not likely to play out. God is not one for weapons of violence, preferring the making of new relationships over the making of enemies. We join many generations of God’s people who have turned God into one of us by ascribing our own violent tendencies to God. We do this for no other reason than to justify our violence and brutality against our enemies. When Jews and Christians were underdogs in the world, there was reason to stand up for ourselves with some force. Now that Christians are such a large and powerful force perhaps it is time for us to make ourselves in God’s image rather than continuing to squeeze God into our own.
¶God continues to execute judgment on all people. God judges the evil within each one of us as well as the righteousness that each of us holds within us. When we want our enemies destroyed, we usually mean those outside of us. God calls us to root out and destroy the evil within ourselves to make room for more and more righteous thoughts and actions that lead us to be ever more righteous folk.
¶April 19 , 2022
¶LCM
Monday, March 16, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1031
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 23, 2020
Psalm 9
1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before you.
4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever, he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples.
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O Lord. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
14 so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
16 The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17 The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19 Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
(NRSV)
It is possible to influence a human judge with pleasantries, a smile, and respectful clothes. I was involved in an accident years ago, and the other driver contested his ticket. He had been convinced by those around him that because the actual impact had taken place on the road that crossed the highway, it must have been my fault instead of his. I arrived at court in a suit and tie. He and his people arrived in much more casual clothes. We each told our side of the story, the judged asked if we had any more to add, declared the one who had received the ticket guilty and assigned fine and costs. The clothes had something to do with the judge's decision. It helped that I was in the right.
God is not influenced by our clothes, our smiles and pleasantries. God sees through our external trappings, as well as our self-delusions, to the heart of each one of us. We can’t convince God of our sincerity by showy externals, including the words we use. Though we might be able to convince ourselves, God sees through us and judges us by a deeper standard than we could possibly use. God stands in support of those whose hearts are pure even if their actions are faulty. God stands in judgment of those whose hearts are hard even if their actions are good. In each case God loves us and wants to support us and prod us into wholesome and integrated lives.
When it comes down to it, it is not up to us to judge others or to call down God’s judgment on them, though we will continue to do both. Our task is to live as closely as we are able to the path that leads to God. We will not always be right. God will willingly nudge us back on the way. Our actions will not always match our intentions. God will direct our path. We may not feel close to God. God is and will be with us no matter what.
March 16, 2020
LCM
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 23, 2020
Psalm 9
1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before you.
4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever, he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples.
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O Lord. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
14 so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
16 The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17 The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19 Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
(NRSV)
It is possible to influence a human judge with pleasantries, a smile, and respectful clothes. I was involved in an accident years ago, and the other driver contested his ticket. He had been convinced by those around him that because the actual impact had taken place on the road that crossed the highway, it must have been my fault instead of his. I arrived at court in a suit and tie. He and his people arrived in much more casual clothes. We each told our side of the story, the judged asked if we had any more to add, declared the one who had received the ticket guilty and assigned fine and costs. The clothes had something to do with the judge's decision. It helped that I was in the right.
God is not influenced by our clothes, our smiles and pleasantries. God sees through our external trappings, as well as our self-delusions, to the heart of each one of us. We can’t convince God of our sincerity by showy externals, including the words we use. Though we might be able to convince ourselves, God sees through us and judges us by a deeper standard than we could possibly use. God stands in support of those whose hearts are pure even if their actions are faulty. God stands in judgment of those whose hearts are hard even if their actions are good. In each case God loves us and wants to support us and prod us into wholesome and integrated lives.
When it comes down to it, it is not up to us to judge others or to call down God’s judgment on them, though we will continue to do both. Our task is to live as closely as we are able to the path that leads to God. We will not always be right. God will willingly nudge us back on the way. Our actions will not always match our intentions. God will direct our path. We may not feel close to God. God is and will be with us no matter what.
March 16, 2020
LCM
Monday, June 9, 2014
Psalm Meditation 730
Trinity Sunday
June 15, 2014
Psalm 9
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before you.
4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever, he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples.
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O LORD. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
14 so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
16 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17 The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19 Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
(NRSV)
Politicians speak in a way that will appeal to the crowd they are addressing. It can seem like waffling as they pick the parts of their action plan that will get the most support from the folks whose favor is being curried at any given moment. There are those, in several fields, who say what they imagine or believe the people want to hear in a given circumstance. Politicians have the reputation of keeping quiet about certain information in order to win support from enough folks to get elected so that they can carry out the unspoken parts of their agenda. They are not alone. There are doctors who believe it is unnecessary to let patients know that the odds of recovery are very slim. Instead they accentuate the rare cases in which folks have returned to health. Restaurants have been known to leave out ingredients in their listings in order to appeal to a wider clientele who would not choose an item because of the ingredients. Just a few examples of the sleight of hand in our lives.
One of the areas that seems to get left out of many agendas is the life of those in poverty. Since most of us would rather not think about how close this comes to us, by touching those we love, or by admitting how close we are to the edge ourselves, it is best left unspoken. The psalmist reminds us that one of the groups God will touch as the wicked are destroyed, are those who live in need and poverty. One of the ways that will happen is by force. Someone will come along and demand that those of us with an overabundance will have most of that confiscated for redistribution to those who have little. Since God does not work by force, what are the other options? Perhaps we will recognize that we who live in overabundance can do without a little and share it with those in poverty. Perhaps we will come to an understanding that there is enough for all and we can stop hoarding out of fear, so that others have access to the resources previously hoarded. Perhaps we will work together to teach and learn that the choices we make can alter each of our lives in the community in which we find ourselves. Perhaps we will discover that the success of another does not lead to failure on the part of those who live in abundance.
As we discover that we share a definition of what it means to be wicked, we will decide that it does not lead anywhere but destruction. As we make new choices, we will find that it is better to cooperate than to compete. We will find that the way of God that seems both ideal and unapproachable will be readily achievable together. As we come to fear God, in the sense of reverent awe, we will discover that we need not be afraid of those around us, we will find that we can work together to accomplish more together than we were willing or able separately.
June 9, 2014
Trinity Sunday
June 15, 2014
Psalm 9
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before you.
4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever, he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples.
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O LORD. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
14 so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
16 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17 The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19 Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
(NRSV)
Politicians speak in a way that will appeal to the crowd they are addressing. It can seem like waffling as they pick the parts of their action plan that will get the most support from the folks whose favor is being curried at any given moment. There are those, in several fields, who say what they imagine or believe the people want to hear in a given circumstance. Politicians have the reputation of keeping quiet about certain information in order to win support from enough folks to get elected so that they can carry out the unspoken parts of their agenda. They are not alone. There are doctors who believe it is unnecessary to let patients know that the odds of recovery are very slim. Instead they accentuate the rare cases in which folks have returned to health. Restaurants have been known to leave out ingredients in their listings in order to appeal to a wider clientele who would not choose an item because of the ingredients. Just a few examples of the sleight of hand in our lives.
One of the areas that seems to get left out of many agendas is the life of those in poverty. Since most of us would rather not think about how close this comes to us, by touching those we love, or by admitting how close we are to the edge ourselves, it is best left unspoken. The psalmist reminds us that one of the groups God will touch as the wicked are destroyed, are those who live in need and poverty. One of the ways that will happen is by force. Someone will come along and demand that those of us with an overabundance will have most of that confiscated for redistribution to those who have little. Since God does not work by force, what are the other options? Perhaps we will recognize that we who live in overabundance can do without a little and share it with those in poverty. Perhaps we will come to an understanding that there is enough for all and we can stop hoarding out of fear, so that others have access to the resources previously hoarded. Perhaps we will work together to teach and learn that the choices we make can alter each of our lives in the community in which we find ourselves. Perhaps we will discover that the success of another does not lead to failure on the part of those who live in abundance.
As we discover that we share a definition of what it means to be wicked, we will decide that it does not lead anywhere but destruction. As we make new choices, we will find that it is better to cooperate than to compete. We will find that the way of God that seems both ideal and unapproachable will be readily achievable together. As we come to fear God, in the sense of reverent awe, we will discover that we need not be afraid of those around us, we will find that we can work together to accomplish more together than we were willing or able separately.
June 9, 2014
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