Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
(See Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-6 and 14-16.)
We immediately recognize a portion of this psalm as part of the dialogue between Jesus and the devil in the temptation narratives. In the well-known scene, the devil suggests to Jesus that if he jumped from one of the high towers of the temple, God would not allow him to be injured. The devil assures Jesus that no harm will come to him because "he will command his angels concerning you ... on their hands they will bear you up" (vv. 11-12).