Proper 11 / Ordinary Time 16
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
(See Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2, Cycle B, and Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9, Cycle B, for alternative approaches to vv. 1-6 and 13-18.)
Psalm 139 begins with a strong statement that God knows us as we really are and concludes with a sincere prayer that God will further search our hearts and reveal to us our sinfulness. If that's not enough to throw a chill into us, then what is? Affirming both God's omniscience and omnipresence, this psalm reminds us that whether we are in the womb (v. 13) or the tomb (v. 8) or anywhere in between (v. 2), whether we be in this world (v. 2) or in another realm altogether (v. 8), God is there. Even darkness does not keep the Lord from seeing us (v. 12).
Yet the purpose of this psalm/prayer is surely not to frighten, but to help us pray those final lines: "See if there is any wicked way in me."
Do we believe it when we are shown a wicked way? How do we feel, singing hymns like: "Alas! And did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die? Would he devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?"
On many days, we might object to being called a worm, but sometimes, when we have done something we consider downright selfish or wrong, our sense of ourselves as good people collapses and the word "worm" doesn't sound all that far-fetched. But even when we have not committed conspicuous wrong, our "goodness" pales next to God's holiness.
Then it is important not to forget to pray the very last line of the psalm: "Lead me into the way everlasting." The psalm reminds us that we can be forgiven, redeemed, and made whole.
-- S. P.
Psalm 139 begins with a strong statement that God knows us as we really are and concludes with a sincere prayer that God will further search our hearts and reveal to us our sinfulness. If that's not enough to throw a chill into us, then what is? Affirming both God's omniscience and omnipresence, this psalm reminds us that whether we are in the womb (v. 13) or the tomb (v. 8) or anywhere in between (v. 2), whether we be in this world (v. 2) or in another realm altogether (v. 8), God is there. Even darkness does not keep the Lord from seeing us (v. 12).
Yet the purpose of this psalm/prayer is surely not to frighten, but to help us pray those final lines: "See if there is any wicked way in me."
Do we believe it when we are shown a wicked way? How do we feel, singing hymns like: "Alas! And did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die? Would he devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?"
On many days, we might object to being called a worm, but sometimes, when we have done something we consider downright selfish or wrong, our sense of ourselves as good people collapses and the word "worm" doesn't sound all that far-fetched. But even when we have not committed conspicuous wrong, our "goodness" pales next to God's holiness.
Then it is important not to forget to pray the very last line of the psalm: "Lead me into the way everlasting." The psalm reminds us that we can be forgiven, redeemed, and made whole.
-- S. P.
