Sunday, August 6, 2023

Monday prior to Proper 14

 

Psalm 34:4–8; Antiphon, Psalm 34:11 Samuel 21:10–15 provides the background story to this psalm.

Talk about a manic Monday and a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. This was the worst place to which David could have gone. It was the very city of Goliath, whom he had slain, and whose sword he now wore.

David, the one chosen by God to be king, in a moment of weakness when pursued by King Saul and his armies, sought refuge with the Philistines, the enemy of Israel.

David realized his mistake and the truth of what he declares in verse 8: Blessed is the man who takes refuge in the Lord! When we are tempted to look elsewhere than to the Lord for rescue, let us also remember this psalm of David, and then bless the Lord at all times.

David thought praising God was to magnify Him – that is, to make Him larger in one’s perception. Magnification does not actually make an object bigger, and we can’t make God bigger. But to magnify something or someone is to perceive it as bigger, and we do that regarding the LORD our God.

Remember, you have been saved by grace through faith in Christ.  In faith you are able to testify with David, that you also sought the Lord for the forgiveness of sin, and He graciously delivered you out of the hands of the enemy - triumphing over sin and death, and redeeming your life from the pit.

What a gracious God we have. For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and together with David and a cloud of witnesses, we are able to confirm “I also sought the LORD, and He answered me. And He delivered me from all my fears. - Yes, we can rejoice and say with all the saints: I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD. The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I will bless the LORD at all times.. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD. The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!”

Collect for Psalm 34 - Lord, graciously hear us, for we seek you alone. Calm our bodies and minds with the peace which passes understanding, and make us radiant with you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. II copyright © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY


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