Psalms 22,104, 105, 130 and 148
Psalm 148 (NRSV)
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Devotion
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. . .” Well, perhaps not the best of times, but the last two years seem to have careened between the worst of times and hope that the best of times are returning. Surges of Covid followed by improvement, dismay followed by hope in what has seemed like an unending cycle. Even the stoutest of heart can be forgiven for feeling, like the writer of Psalm 22, that God has forsaken his people.
When I first read through my assigned Psalms, it was a treat to read through Psalm 104, which is a joyful accounting of God’s work in creation. I thought, “I am tired of Covid and gloom, I am going to concentrate on this one.” But reading through the other Psalms, I see the same pattern of trial and deliverance that we have been experiencing. This is clearest in Psalm 22 when the writer recovers from a severe illness and celebrates his recovery, praising the Lord in the midst of the congregation. Even in Psalm 104 there is a reminder that “when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face they are dismayed.” Psalm 105 recounts God’s covenant faithfulness to the children of Abraham. The story is full of ups and downs but even the downs serve the long-term purpose of deliverance. Psalm 130 is a prayer for forgiveness and redemption, while Psalm 148 is one of the glorious songs of praise at the close of the book.
After 3000 years, I am not sure I find it overly comforting that we are still experiencing the same ups and downs that our ancestors did. Perhaps it is foolish to even expect otherwise. What I do find comforting is, as the Psalms constantly remind us, that God’s steadfast love endures forever, that God is faithful, and that even the biggest down can be turned to joy in his hands.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of the Psalms, in which Your word comes down to us like a conversation between parent and child. For Your steadfast love and Your support during times of trouble we praise You and give You thanks. Help us to remember that “in life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.” Amen.
Debbie Leavens