THURSDAY, January 26

Psalm 60. O God, you have cast us off and broken us; you have been angry; oh, take us back to you again.

Have you ever wondered why some psalms are in brackets in our Daily Office Lectionary, and therefore in Forward Day by Day? Whole psalms that are bracketed and verses in parentheses are optional and may be omitted. Sometimes they are optional for a reason: those who compiled the readings weren’t sure whether we wanted to hear such unpleasant words.

Bracketed psalms such as those today are psalms of lament. In them, an individual or community laments misfortune, often lashing out in anger or accusing God of infidelity. Some of these psalms go further, asking God to destroy the enemy: “Slay them, O God…” (Psalm 59:12). How can we Christians—who know Jesus’ command to love our enemies—say these words?

Psalms of lament don’t often appear in our worship, either, except on Good Friday. This is too bad. If we are honest with ourselves, we have times when we’ve felt abandoned by God or victimized by others. We get angry. We do not wish our enemies well. The psalms give us permission to be honest with God. And most of these psalms move through the anguish to a statement of faith. This can be true for us. Sometimes we need to move through the lament to get to a place of trust.

PRAY for the Diocese of Amazon (Brazil)

Ps 50 * [59, 60] or 118; Genesis 16:15—17:14; Hebrews 10:1-10; John 5:30-47

View the daily Lectionary Readings at http://satucket.com/lectionary/

Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.

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Lamentation

Jan 26, 2012 at 5:58 am

Written by A,

Clergy have often directed me to the Psalms as I have sought a way forward in painful times. Choosing at random, looking for words of peaceful comfort when my soul has felt wounded, I have so often encountered the Psalms of lament. Why have I found them so painful when they speak to the very human pain I share?
Thank you to the author for reminding us that we always have" permission to be honest with God." I pray for continued movement through lament to trust and deeper faith.
(Praying for you, Emeline, as you recover.)

...

Jan 26, 2012 at 7:40 am

Written by Gail J in N.C.,

A lament is an act of hope. When we lament to God, we’re acknowledging that we believe that there is a God and that he’s listening.

Lamenting to God an act of hope because we believe God is capable, we just want to mobilize him.

It might seem like a lament is monologue, but it’s a first step toward dialogue with God.

...

Jan 26, 2012 at 7:59 am

Written by focus,

Instead of focusing on asking God to revenge our enemies, the message in the Psalms is that God is in control and that our duty is simply to honor Him. God through his promises sent His Son, Jesus, as the sacrifice. Jesus is the ONLY judge, appointed by God. Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. Today's Psalm clearly instructs us: "Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me;"

Why have I found them so painful when they speak to the very human pain I share?

Jan 26, 2012 at 8:27 am

Written by Chris,

Many years ago I lived through a major "valley" and those shadows I experienced allows me to relate to you "A". I, too, was directed to read the Psalms and scripture, and I hoped it would bring me peace from my wounds. What I can witness today, reflecting back, the Psalms helped me be honest first with God and then with myself. As I suffered, others had suffered also. I caused hurt that I wasn't taking into account. Suffering those wounds has helped me in my journey of faith, to look to God first, asking God for forgiveness for my sins, forgiving myself, seeking forgiveness from others I had hurt, and finally forgiving those who have hurt me. Today, by honoring God first, suffering through a "valley" with God, I have that peace I was looking for. I pray for you A. Amen.

Amen

Jan 26, 2012 at 9:17 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Good meditation. I will think on these things today.

Uncomfortable

Jan 26, 2012 at 9:54 am

Written by MaineWoman,

I'm bothered by the statement that as Christians, told to love our enemies, this Psalm is problematic, as if Jews can pray with relish for their enemies to be destroyed. Did that intimation trouble anyone else?

Psalm 27

Jan 26, 2012 at 11:05 am

Written by Texas,

Last summer I was going through some major problems at work which resulted in some depression. I read the scriptures and Psalms asking for solace to my woes. Psalm 27 was one of those psalms that gave me peace.
1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?
the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
7. For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
8. Even now he lifts up my head above my enemies round about me.
9. Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
10. Harken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
11. You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face," Your face, Lord, will I seek.
12. Hid not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

...

Jan 26, 2012 at 11:57 am

Written by E.Linda Cushner,

Everyone has shared some beautiful and thought provoking comments. I think that the psalms are all this and more. There are times that I need the psalms of lament but I try to concentrate more on the psalms of praise. When things are difficult, I meditate on joyful psalms letting God know that I trust Him for this trial and that I am praising Him because I know that He will bring me thorough it. Sometimes this is difficult to do but after reading these praises, I do have a different mind set and I truly feel better because I know that the Lord is in control not the circumstances.

Which translation are you using?

Jan 26, 2012 at 12:42 pm

Written by Susanna K.,

I can't find a translation that matches word for word your excerpt from Psalm 60. Which one are you using?

for Susanna K

Jan 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm

Written by Andrea,

I'm not the writer of the meditation, but I can tell you where this version of Psalm 60 is from - the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The translations there are a little different from many of the biblical translations.

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