Proper 16
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.
Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Alternate Image
The Singer is at a New Year's party. It is not January first but the beginning of spring. Green shoots of new plants shoot forth as banners of God's recreation. Nurturing rains fall from the sky banishing the dry land and filling the creeks, rivers and ponds. Newborn calves, piglets and lambs frolic in the meadows under the watchful eyes of their mothers. The birds bring wiggly worms to freshly-hatched nestlings. And the people in spring finery gather in the churches to hold New Year's parties like the one the Singer attends. Singers lead songs of celebration. Quickly the churches bulge and cannot contain the parties for long, soon the celebrants spill out the doors with renewed strength, meaning and vigor to follow their callings.
Reflection
Human beings were created to celebrate life. We were made to live. We were designed to attend parties, to enjoy refreshments, to be refreshed and refreshing. We are meant to be always new. That was and is God's plan. And, the plan is working. As nature is continually renewed in the passing of the seasons, human beings are continuously being reminded as well. Parents are renewed by the arrival of a child and the joy of their presence. Teachers are rejuvenated by the questions and probing of young minds. Entrepreneurs are enlivened by new opportunities to create, service and provide products to eager buyers. Preachers are inspired by the living words in Bible and pew. Singers attuned to God's vision bring new tunes and words for sharing. What a blessing it is to live anew each moment as creatures with our Creator.
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.
Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Alternate Image
The Singer is at a New Year's party. It is not January first but the beginning of spring. Green shoots of new plants shoot forth as banners of God's recreation. Nurturing rains fall from the sky banishing the dry land and filling the creeks, rivers and ponds. Newborn calves, piglets and lambs frolic in the meadows under the watchful eyes of their mothers. The birds bring wiggly worms to freshly-hatched nestlings. And the people in spring finery gather in the churches to hold New Year's parties like the one the Singer attends. Singers lead songs of celebration. Quickly the churches bulge and cannot contain the parties for long, soon the celebrants spill out the doors with renewed strength, meaning and vigor to follow their callings.
Reflection
Human beings were created to celebrate life. We were made to live. We were designed to attend parties, to enjoy refreshments, to be refreshed and refreshing. We are meant to be always new. That was and is God's plan. And, the plan is working. As nature is continually renewed in the passing of the seasons, human beings are continuously being reminded as well. Parents are renewed by the arrival of a child and the joy of their presence. Teachers are rejuvenated by the questions and probing of young minds. Entrepreneurs are enlivened by new opportunities to create, service and provide products to eager buyers. Preachers are inspired by the living words in Bible and pew. Singers attuned to God's vision bring new tunes and words for sharing. What a blessing it is to live anew each moment as creatures with our Creator.
