Psalm Meditation 1050
Proper 13
August 2, 2020
Psalm 112
1 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.
2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
7 They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.
(NRSV)
We are used to being the star of our own story, so when we step into God’s story we naturally assume the role of protagonist. Of course we delight in the commandments of the Lord. Of course we are mighty in the land, upright, wealthy and righteous. We stand firm in the ways of God and we expect to come out on top in all disagreements, arguments, and disputes. We have every intention of being the very best at following in the footsteps God has mapped out for good folks like us.
What if this is not about us? Not that we are bad people, just that we leave out some of what God lays out for righteous folk. We not only leave it out, we flat out ignore it. We are okay with bringing up our children the way we were brought up, properly. It is the parts about helping others that we could do without. The part about distributing freely and giving to the poor rankles a bit. We worked hard to get what we have and none of those lazy poor people deserve any of what we worked so hard to get. Except for that pesky part about sharing with others is part of what it means to be righteous.
It is easy to deflect this critique, to make excuses for what we have and have not done for the sake of others. And God calls us to the hard work of taking off our rose colored glasses to look at ourselves in the clear light of day. Chances are pretty good that we are not as righteous and upright as we want to be. And we are just as guilty as the people we gossip and trash talk about. If we read the Psalms as if they are teaching us, disciplining us, moving us off of our normal track we will see that God loves to lead us toward what it means to be a conscious, aware, and active child of God.
July 27, 2020
LCM
Monday, July 27, 2020
Monday, July 20, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1049
Proper 12
July 26, 2020
Psalm 12
1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind.
2 They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own—who is our master?”
5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the Lord; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”
6 The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
7 You, O Lord, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.
(NRSV)
It is probably tempting in every age to believe that godly folks have disappeared from the earth. Those who are most vocal about their faith are the ones who have taken some aspect of faith, twisted it to fit their particular agenda, and announced it from the mountaintops that this is the way to live out the faith. Oh, and if anyone disagrees with their way of thinking, acting, and talking they are going to hell so there is no need to pay attention to them at all.
However, the folks who are faithful to God are working with the poor, the downtrodden and the oppressed. They have no desire to be applauded, their desire is to serve. And every age makes some progress in the care of the outcast as folks rise up to “place them in the safety for which they long“ for the glory of God. They are not making gobs of money telling people what they want to hear, they are making sacrifices and doing to hard work to make it possible for people to live in the world.
People will continue to see themselves as faithful as they splash the words of God in big, noisy, public places. They will miss that the words are taken out of context so that they lead to personal gain for themselves and some of their followers. Damage will be done to the reputation of God, but it will not last. Folks will eventually swing back to seeing the servants, whose lives are lived quietly and faithfully for the glory of God.
July 20, 2020
LCM
Proper 12
July 26, 2020
Psalm 12
1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind.
2 They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own—who is our master?”
5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the Lord; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”
6 The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
7 You, O Lord, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.
(NRSV)
It is probably tempting in every age to believe that godly folks have disappeared from the earth. Those who are most vocal about their faith are the ones who have taken some aspect of faith, twisted it to fit their particular agenda, and announced it from the mountaintops that this is the way to live out the faith. Oh, and if anyone disagrees with their way of thinking, acting, and talking they are going to hell so there is no need to pay attention to them at all.
However, the folks who are faithful to God are working with the poor, the downtrodden and the oppressed. They have no desire to be applauded, their desire is to serve. And every age makes some progress in the care of the outcast as folks rise up to “place them in the safety for which they long“ for the glory of God. They are not making gobs of money telling people what they want to hear, they are making sacrifices and doing to hard work to make it possible for people to live in the world.
People will continue to see themselves as faithful as they splash the words of God in big, noisy, public places. They will miss that the words are taken out of context so that they lead to personal gain for themselves and some of their followers. Damage will be done to the reputation of God, but it will not last. Folks will eventually swing back to seeing the servants, whose lives are lived quietly and faithfully for the glory of God.
July 20, 2020
LCM
Monday, July 13, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1048
Proper 11
July 19, 2020
Psalm 87
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia—“This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in it”; for the Most High himself will establish it.
6 The Lord records, as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah
7 Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
(NRSV)
There are cities that people imagine as wonderful places to be born and grow up. Some people get to experience growing up in those cities for themselves. Rome, Paris, London, New York, Chicago are some of the cities that come quickly to mind for me. You have your own list of dream cities in which to be born and grow up that are wonderful and exciting places. There are people who have excellent experiences of growing up in their home town. The psalmist extols the virtues of the city of Zion, Jerusalem.
For the psalmist, the city of Zion is a great place to be born because it is the city of God. The presence and blessing of God in the city makes it an exceptional place to live. It is one of those cities that holds a place in the hearts of anyone who grew up in it. The psalmist knows that Zion is a spring that wells up in the lives of citizens in a way that nourishes their souls throughout their lives.
There are celebrated cities that give the reputation of a person born there a boost. In many cases those boosts of reputation are justified. The psalmist has a more important criteria than the place of one’s birth; the presence of God. If God is a part of one’s upbringing there is a whole different spring in one’s step and lilt to one’s voice. To be born in the presence and under the influence of God helps set folks apart in a special way.
July 13, 2020
LCM
Proper 11
July 19, 2020
Psalm 87
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia—“This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in it”; for the Most High himself will establish it.
6 The Lord records, as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah
7 Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
(NRSV)
There are cities that people imagine as wonderful places to be born and grow up. Some people get to experience growing up in those cities for themselves. Rome, Paris, London, New York, Chicago are some of the cities that come quickly to mind for me. You have your own list of dream cities in which to be born and grow up that are wonderful and exciting places. There are people who have excellent experiences of growing up in their home town. The psalmist extols the virtues of the city of Zion, Jerusalem.
For the psalmist, the city of Zion is a great place to be born because it is the city of God. The presence and blessing of God in the city makes it an exceptional place to live. It is one of those cities that holds a place in the hearts of anyone who grew up in it. The psalmist knows that Zion is a spring that wells up in the lives of citizens in a way that nourishes their souls throughout their lives.
There are celebrated cities that give the reputation of a person born there a boost. In many cases those boosts of reputation are justified. The psalmist has a more important criteria than the place of one’s birth; the presence of God. If God is a part of one’s upbringing there is a whole different spring in one’s step and lilt to one’s voice. To be born in the presence and under the influence of God helps set folks apart in a special way.
July 13, 2020
LCM
Monday, July 6, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1047
Proper 10
July 12, 2020
Psalm 61
1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
3 for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So I will always sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows day after day.
(NRSV)
Before we can make any vows or promises, God is our refuge. It takes us a while to figure that out so we spend a lot of time trying to earn God’s love, trying to deserve all the gifts that God showers on us. We beat ourselves up for not being able to do all the things that seem important to earn God’s love. We have been known to judge the quality of our actions even if we have done the right things. ‘God still doesn’t love me fully because I didn’t do that one thing as well as I could have. And that other thing was not perfect, so how can God possibly love me if I can’t even be perfect?’
First and foremost, God is our refuge. It is a refuge of steadfast love. It isn’t because we have earned a place in God’s strong tower, it is because God loves us. I have an image of a child wrapping arms around a parent’s leg or waist, knowing that there is safety in this kind of closeness. To complete the image a parental hand moves down with a comforting hand on top of the child’s head. For the child, that is the safest refuge, the strongest tower ever. When we change the image to place God in the parental role imagine how safe and comforting that place is when we melt into it.
Know that God already loves you and that you can’t earn or deserve that love. Relax into God’s love and allow it to seep in to all your cracked and broken places. There is no time limit. God is not going to move away from you or get impatient that you are not doing something right or quickly enough.
July 6, 2020
LCM
Proper 10
July 12, 2020
Psalm 61
1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
3 for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So I will always sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows day after day.
(NRSV)
Before we can make any vows or promises, God is our refuge. It takes us a while to figure that out so we spend a lot of time trying to earn God’s love, trying to deserve all the gifts that God showers on us. We beat ourselves up for not being able to do all the things that seem important to earn God’s love. We have been known to judge the quality of our actions even if we have done the right things. ‘God still doesn’t love me fully because I didn’t do that one thing as well as I could have. And that other thing was not perfect, so how can God possibly love me if I can’t even be perfect?’
First and foremost, God is our refuge. It is a refuge of steadfast love. It isn’t because we have earned a place in God’s strong tower, it is because God loves us. I have an image of a child wrapping arms around a parent’s leg or waist, knowing that there is safety in this kind of closeness. To complete the image a parental hand moves down with a comforting hand on top of the child’s head. For the child, that is the safest refuge, the strongest tower ever. When we change the image to place God in the parental role imagine how safe and comforting that place is when we melt into it.
Know that God already loves you and that you can’t earn or deserve that love. Relax into God’s love and allow it to seep in to all your cracked and broken places. There is no time limit. God is not going to move away from you or get impatient that you are not doing something right or quickly enough.
July 6, 2020
LCM
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1046
Proper 9
July 5, 2020
Psalm 136
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
A litany is a call and response liturgy in which the response is always the same. As a child in worship I thought they were boring because we had to say the same thing over and over. I also thought it unfair that the leader got all the variety while we were stuck with the same old same old. In seminary, the litany I had to write for a class had a different response every time. All these years later, I realize it was not a litany, and I have a deeper appreciation for what happens in the call and response of a litany.
The litany arose in a time before the majority of worshipers was literate so a repeated response allowed more people to participate in this act of worship. Whether worship was conducted in Latin or the local language there was the one phrase to learn in order to join in. In our more literate era the litany gives us the opportunity to have a concept reinforced by repetition. One of my mentors along the way told us that anything we hear at least ten times takes on a reality it did not have before. In this particular psalm, the consistent repetition of, “for his steadfast love endures forever.” serves as instruction and reminder that God loves us, forever.
I continue to think that litanies are boring, and I am not likely to use them as an act of worship. However, I am ever grateful for the reminder that God’s love is not something that comes and goes, it is not something that God offers and withholds depending on my behavior or some whim on the part of God. In the whole history of salvation, one of the constants, whether we have acknowledged it or not, has been God’s love, for his steadfast love endures forever.
June 30, 2020
LCM
Proper 9
July 5, 2020
Psalm 136
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
(NRSV)
A litany is a call and response liturgy in which the response is always the same. As a child in worship I thought they were boring because we had to say the same thing over and over. I also thought it unfair that the leader got all the variety while we were stuck with the same old same old. In seminary, the litany I had to write for a class had a different response every time. All these years later, I realize it was not a litany, and I have a deeper appreciation for what happens in the call and response of a litany.
The litany arose in a time before the majority of worshipers was literate so a repeated response allowed more people to participate in this act of worship. Whether worship was conducted in Latin or the local language there was the one phrase to learn in order to join in. In our more literate era the litany gives us the opportunity to have a concept reinforced by repetition. One of my mentors along the way told us that anything we hear at least ten times takes on a reality it did not have before. In this particular psalm, the consistent repetition of, “for his steadfast love endures forever.” serves as instruction and reminder that God loves us, forever.
I continue to think that litanies are boring, and I am not likely to use them as an act of worship. However, I am ever grateful for the reminder that God’s love is not something that comes and goes, it is not something that God offers and withholds depending on my behavior or some whim on the part of God. In the whole history of salvation, one of the constants, whether we have acknowledged it or not, has been God’s love, for his steadfast love endures forever.
June 30, 2020
LCM
Monday, June 22, 2020
Psalm Meditation 1045
Proper 8
June 28, 2020
Psalm 36
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
(NRSV)
We hear what we are listening for; a familiar voice, the song of a bird, a particular bird song, the sound of engine trouble, the voice of transgression, the voice of God. The psalmist knows that there are folks whose ears are tuned to the invitation to transgression, especially when that invitation includes the words, ‘Go ahead, no one is watching.’ Some hear the invitation, ‘Go ahead, no one cares.’ When we are so invisible that no one can see us because no one cares about us, we are drawn in quickly and easily by the voice of transgression.
The best among us has heard that voice from time to time. If we are never tempted to transgress, our good behavior means little. Three of the Gospels tell of the temptation of Jesus. It is important to note that part of what makes Jesus special is that he is ‘tested as we are, yet without sin.’ (Hebrews 4:15) Transgression speaks to us in our hearts, however that voice is drowned out by the sounds we want to hear more clearly.
More important than whether we pay attention to the temptation to transgression, is the steadfast love of God. The love of God knows no limit of reach. Wherever we are, whatever we hear, whatever we do, the steadfast love of God is standing with us, reminding us that we are not alone. We are seen, we are known, we are loved. We can ignore the love of God, however we can’t move far enough away from God to be out of the reach of the steadfast love of God.
June 22, 2020
LCM
Proper 8
June 28, 2020
Psalm 36
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
(NRSV)
We hear what we are listening for; a familiar voice, the song of a bird, a particular bird song, the sound of engine trouble, the voice of transgression, the voice of God. The psalmist knows that there are folks whose ears are tuned to the invitation to transgression, especially when that invitation includes the words, ‘Go ahead, no one is watching.’ Some hear the invitation, ‘Go ahead, no one cares.’ When we are so invisible that no one can see us because no one cares about us, we are drawn in quickly and easily by the voice of transgression.
The best among us has heard that voice from time to time. If we are never tempted to transgress, our good behavior means little. Three of the Gospels tell of the temptation of Jesus. It is important to note that part of what makes Jesus special is that he is ‘tested as we are, yet without sin.’ (Hebrews 4:15) Transgression speaks to us in our hearts, however that voice is drowned out by the sounds we want to hear more clearly.
More important than whether we pay attention to the temptation to transgression, is the steadfast love of God. The love of God knows no limit of reach. Wherever we are, whatever we hear, whatever we do, the steadfast love of God is standing with us, reminding us that we are not alone. We are seen, we are known, we are loved. We can ignore the love of God, however we can’t move far enough away from God to be out of the reach of the steadfast love of God.
June 22, 2020
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/
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