Proper 14
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
Hear my prayer, O Lord;
give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
answer me in your righteousness.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.
For the enemy has pursued me,
crushing my life to the ground,
making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.
I remember the days of old,
I think about all your deeds,
I meditate on the works of your hands.
I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Alternate Image
The Singer has written and published a paper on a particular
type of music. She does not regard her work as being particularly
original or noteworthy. She has tried to compile the works and
thoughts of others in her field into one overall
prospectus. Now she is being hounded by colleagues and the press
as being some type of wild-eyed fanatic with strange thoughts. No
matter how much she tries to explain her position her attackers
misconstrue her statements and pursue her with yet new charges of
heresy. She is being hounded and persecuted by their relentless
assaults. It is a long and painful process and she wonders why
she must undergo and endure such ill treatment.
She retreats to her study and writes a song in the genre of
her paper. Her thoughts focus on the one who has given her gifts
of music and reflection. Though she wonders about the implication
of these gifts, she is grateful for them. Her music and libretto
reflect her confidence in God's understanding of her. God may not
like her article as well, but she feels confident God does like
her music and especially likes her. With confidence she goes to
her office door to deal with the next round of attacks upon her
integrity.
Reflection
The psalmist gives utterance to intense feelings of
persecution, persecution that seems unjust. Though the psalmist
does not claim to be sinless, he is dumbfounded by the attacks
that are made on him. His enemies appear filled with hatred and
seek to do him great damage. He is overwhelmed by this.
When attacks like these come in our lives we too wonder at the
venom of the assault. Why do people seek active harm to us? What
could we possibly have done to merit such harsh judgment and
condemnation? Under such vile attacks we search for courage just
to survive. Where do we find such courage? Not in ourselves and
our own talents, nor in the justice of our fellow human beings.
We put our trust in God's faithfulness and mercy. That is a
surety.
give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
answer me in your righteousness.
Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.
For the enemy has pursued me,
crushing my life to the ground,
making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.
I remember the days of old,
I think about all your deeds,
I meditate on the works of your hands.
I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Alternate Image
The Singer has written and published a paper on a particular
type of music. She does not regard her work as being particularly
original or noteworthy. She has tried to compile the works and
thoughts of others in her field into one overall
prospectus. Now she is being hounded by colleagues and the press
as being some type of wild-eyed fanatic with strange thoughts. No
matter how much she tries to explain her position her attackers
misconstrue her statements and pursue her with yet new charges of
heresy. She is being hounded and persecuted by their relentless
assaults. It is a long and painful process and she wonders why
she must undergo and endure such ill treatment.
She retreats to her study and writes a song in the genre of
her paper. Her thoughts focus on the one who has given her gifts
of music and reflection. Though she wonders about the implication
of these gifts, she is grateful for them. Her music and libretto
reflect her confidence in God's understanding of her. God may not
like her article as well, but she feels confident God does like
her music and especially likes her. With confidence she goes to
her office door to deal with the next round of attacks upon her
integrity.
Reflection
The psalmist gives utterance to intense feelings of
persecution, persecution that seems unjust. Though the psalmist
does not claim to be sinless, he is dumbfounded by the attacks
that are made on him. His enemies appear filled with hatred and
seek to do him great damage. He is overwhelmed by this.
When attacks like these come in our lives we too wonder at the
venom of the assault. Why do people seek active harm to us? What
could we possibly have done to merit such harsh judgment and
condemnation? Under such vile attacks we search for courage just
to survive. Where do we find such courage? Not in ourselves and
our own talents, nor in the justice of our fellow human beings.
We put our trust in God's faithfulness and mercy. That is a
surety.
