Proper 25/Pentecost 23/Ordinary Time 30
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
The writer of this psalm begins with an assertion and an invitation to the gathered company of worshipers. He announces his intention to "bless" the Lord all the time, to praise God with a continual song. In fact, the boast of his life is to be "in the Lord," and he calls upon all who are oppressed (NRSV "humble") to hear what he has to say.
Offering praise to God "all the time" is a formidable commitment. When things are going well, praise makes perfect sense. When our lives are touched by God, it is natural to be grateful and full of thanksgiving. The psalmist, however, is concerned to let us know that not only is God worthy of praise for what has already been accomplished, but also for what the Lord will accomplish. The psalmist writes, in effect, "God has done this for me" (v. 4); "rest assured God will do it for you."
The call to the "humble" or "oppressed" to praise God even in the midst of their suffering is a difficult challenge. It is one thing to exult in God's goodness after we have what we need, or our pain has ceased. It is a different level of faith altogether that exults in God's goodness even while we wait for our suffering to end.
The psalmist is not suggesting some sort of mind-over-matter exercise. We are not being asked to believe that because God is going to do something in the future we are free from pain now. The pain of the moment is real. Likewise, the psalmist is not saying that healing or the end of suffering will come because we have praised God -- as if our praise somehow obligates God to act on our behalf.
On the contrary, the psalmist's words are intended as a profound statement of confidence in the goodness of God. We can praise God now, even while we struggle, because we know that God will act eventually on our behalf. Our praise will not be in vain because God does not fail (vv. 20-22).
This is a tough call. In the middle of difficulty, our tendency is to offer prayers of lament or complaint. Prayers of this type are perfectly acceptable and are well-attested in the psalter. But this psalm offers us another option. Beyond lament and complaint, there is patient confidence that leads to praise. There is expectation that God will come and heal and restore. Believing deeply that the matter will be fully resolved at some future moment, we celebrate the Good News to come and give thanks to the God who will bring it to pass.
What will praise do to our suffering? Probably not much. But what it will do for our ability to hope is profound.
-- J. E.
Offering praise to God "all the time" is a formidable commitment. When things are going well, praise makes perfect sense. When our lives are touched by God, it is natural to be grateful and full of thanksgiving. The psalmist, however, is concerned to let us know that not only is God worthy of praise for what has already been accomplished, but also for what the Lord will accomplish. The psalmist writes, in effect, "God has done this for me" (v. 4); "rest assured God will do it for you."
The call to the "humble" or "oppressed" to praise God even in the midst of their suffering is a difficult challenge. It is one thing to exult in God's goodness after we have what we need, or our pain has ceased. It is a different level of faith altogether that exults in God's goodness even while we wait for our suffering to end.
The psalmist is not suggesting some sort of mind-over-matter exercise. We are not being asked to believe that because God is going to do something in the future we are free from pain now. The pain of the moment is real. Likewise, the psalmist is not saying that healing or the end of suffering will come because we have praised God -- as if our praise somehow obligates God to act on our behalf.
On the contrary, the psalmist's words are intended as a profound statement of confidence in the goodness of God. We can praise God now, even while we struggle, because we know that God will act eventually on our behalf. Our praise will not be in vain because God does not fail (vv. 20-22).
This is a tough call. In the middle of difficulty, our tendency is to offer prayers of lament or complaint. Prayers of this type are perfectly acceptable and are well-attested in the psalter. But this psalm offers us another option. Beyond lament and complaint, there is patient confidence that leads to praise. There is expectation that God will come and heal and restore. Believing deeply that the matter will be fully resolved at some future moment, we celebrate the Good News to come and give thanks to the God who will bring it to pass.
What will praise do to our suffering? Probably not much. But what it will do for our ability to hope is profound.
-- J. E.
