Psalm 34:1-10, 22
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (v. 1). Reading the first verse of this psalm gives pause, doesn't it? While any self-respecting Christian would hope that people would give praise "continually," the actual thought of ceaseless exaltation is a bit unsettling. Imagine someone who went around continually uttering shouts of praise and thanksgiving. No matter where they were or what they were doing, every word out of their mouths was about God and God's wonderful works. On the sidewalk, at the store, or in the dry cleaners: praise, praise, praise. Working, playing, or resting, such a person would never stop. It's one thing to do this on Sunday morning but at Starbucks? It's one thing to go to Bible study and exalt God's name, but do we really want to be around someone who does it while we're out to dinner? The truth of the matter is that such exuberance would be seen as zealotry in the eyes of most people. "Yes, yes, we know you love God, but could you please tone it down a bit?"
However, there could be another option. What if this psalm refers, not to a constant and potentially irritating God chatter, but to a deeper kind of praise? What if this psalm calls the reader to a life that is in itself an exclamation of praise? Instead of wagging tongues and idle talk, what if we were called to lives that truly witnessed to the depth of faith? Rather than going on and on about the greatness of God, what if we demonstrated God's wonder in lives of prayerful justice? It's true. There aren't too many people like this in our lives, but they do exist. It is said that Saint Francis exuded an aura of holiness. There are reports that being in the presence of Martin Luther King Jr. was like being in the midst of a living prayer. Some people have reported the powerful experience of being near great prophets like Daniel and Philip Berrigan. Each of these holy people did not merely speak of God's greatness. Instead, they used the gifts God had given them to display God's glory with their lives.
Imagine the power of a whole people living lives of praise and justice. Conjure up, if you can, a world blessed by the blessings of God through simple, holy people. Indeed, words of praise and exaltation should come continually from each person of faith. But clearly, such words are but half the equation.
However, there could be another option. What if this psalm refers, not to a constant and potentially irritating God chatter, but to a deeper kind of praise? What if this psalm calls the reader to a life that is in itself an exclamation of praise? Instead of wagging tongues and idle talk, what if we were called to lives that truly witnessed to the depth of faith? Rather than going on and on about the greatness of God, what if we demonstrated God's wonder in lives of prayerful justice? It's true. There aren't too many people like this in our lives, but they do exist. It is said that Saint Francis exuded an aura of holiness. There are reports that being in the presence of Martin Luther King Jr. was like being in the midst of a living prayer. Some people have reported the powerful experience of being near great prophets like Daniel and Philip Berrigan. Each of these holy people did not merely speak of God's greatness. Instead, they used the gifts God had given them to display God's glory with their lives.
Imagine the power of a whole people living lives of praise and justice. Conjure up, if you can, a world blessed by the blessings of God through simple, holy people. Indeed, words of praise and exaltation should come continually from each person of faith. But clearly, such words are but half the equation.
