Psalm 91:9-13;
antiphon, Psalm 91:15-16—In the
Introit for Sunday, we pray, When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will
be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life, I will
satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91 – The Assurance given
for those who trust in the LORD
This psalm has no title, and therefore the author remains unknown.
Because it shares some of the themes of Psalm 90, some think Moses was the
author. Because it shares some of the themes and phrases of Psalms 27 and 31,
some think the author was David. Some of its language, of strongholds and
shields, reminds us of David, to whom the Septuagint ascribes it; other phrases
echo the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32, as did Psalm 90; but it is in fact
anonymous and timeless, perhaps all the more accessible for that. [2]
The theme
of Lent 1 deals with sin: origin, continuation, and conquest. In our Old
Testament lesson, we have the account of the first original sin through the
yielding to temptation. In the Gospel Jesus succeeded in overcoming temptation.
In the Epistle, we are told that sin is conquered through Christ. The theme is
carried out in the Prayer of the Day by reference to “the wilderness of this world,” a wilderness of temptation. The
refrain in verse 4a of Psalm 130 refers to the solution of sin as in the
Epistle – “forgiveness.” The Hymn of the
Day is appropriate in that Luther refers to “though devils all the world should fill…one little word can fell him.”
Is the Devil real? He is very much alive. The evidence
of temptation and wickedness confirms his existence. For Jesus, the devil was a
reality in the wilderness experience. The origin of Satan is not the question.
Our problem is overcoming Satan’s temptation lest we sin.
Collect for Psalm 91: Lord Jesus
Christ, when tempted by the devil, you remained true to your Father, who
commanded his angels to watch over you. Guard your Church from the plague of
sin, so that we may remain faithful to you until the day when we enjoy the
fullness of your salvation; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, now and forever. Amen [3]
[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-91
[3] Collect for Psalm 91, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4] Ibid, Collect for Monday Before Ash Wednesday
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