Proper 8
Preaching
Aids To The Psalms
Exploring The Message
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face; I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried
and to the Lord I made supplication:
"What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!"
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Alternate Image
The Singer has been asked to sing at the dedication of a new
bridge. A large crowd has gathered to celebrate this occasion but
many are there with mixed emotions. The construction workers are
happy with their work but now they wonder if there will be more
work for them to do or will they be unemployed and unable to care
for their families? One of their number was even seriously
injured during the construction. What will become of him? The
financiers of the bridge know they cut it close and wonder if
there will be any profit left for them. The new owners of the
bridge delight in its beauty and functionality, but wonder
whether it will stand up to all the traffic it must bear. Many
and mixed are the emotions of those gathered. Sensing the
feelings, the Singer sings of their joys and sorrows, but most of
all her song shares the importance of the works for God's
kingdom. God has allowed the construction workers, financiers and
owners to provide a wonderful new thing for God's kingdom, a
bridge. A bridge that allows people to move about more freely, to
travel more easily to jobs, family and leisure. A bridge where
fisher folk may fish from, walkers may stroll and drivers drive.
A bridge that is inspiring in form and function. A bridge they
may even travel to see more of God's creation.
Reflection
No one knows what temple is being dedicated on the occasion of
this Psalm. But we do know it is an occasion of both joy and
sorrow. Why was the psalmist sorrowful? From what pit has he been
retrieved? What prayers were uttered and answered? We do not
know. But we do know the faith of the psalmist, the object of his
praise and the one to whom he renders thanks. That is important
for all of us. No matter what our tribulations, no matter what
difficulties we face, we know that God is always faithful and
always present for us. That knowledge evokes our prayers of
thanksgiving.
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face; I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried
and to the Lord I made supplication:
"What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!"
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Alternate Image
The Singer has been asked to sing at the dedication of a new
bridge. A large crowd has gathered to celebrate this occasion but
many are there with mixed emotions. The construction workers are
happy with their work but now they wonder if there will be more
work for them to do or will they be unemployed and unable to care
for their families? One of their number was even seriously
injured during the construction. What will become of him? The
financiers of the bridge know they cut it close and wonder if
there will be any profit left for them. The new owners of the
bridge delight in its beauty and functionality, but wonder
whether it will stand up to all the traffic it must bear. Many
and mixed are the emotions of those gathered. Sensing the
feelings, the Singer sings of their joys and sorrows, but most of
all her song shares the importance of the works for God's
kingdom. God has allowed the construction workers, financiers and
owners to provide a wonderful new thing for God's kingdom, a
bridge. A bridge that allows people to move about more freely, to
travel more easily to jobs, family and leisure. A bridge where
fisher folk may fish from, walkers may stroll and drivers drive.
A bridge that is inspiring in form and function. A bridge they
may even travel to see more of God's creation.
Reflection
No one knows what temple is being dedicated on the occasion of
this Psalm. But we do know it is an occasion of both joy and
sorrow. Why was the psalmist sorrowful? From what pit has he been
retrieved? What prayers were uttered and answered? We do not
know. But we do know the faith of the psalmist, the object of his
praise and the one to whom he renders thanks. That is important
for all of us. No matter what our tribulations, no matter what
difficulties we face, we know that God is always faithful and
always present for us. That knowledge evokes our prayers of
thanksgiving.
