Sunday, August 20, 2023

Monday prior to Proper 16

 

Psalm 2:6–7; Psalm 117; Antiphon, Psalm 115:18—Next Sunday’s Introit is taken from three psalms. Psalm 2 is one of the most important messianic psalms, pointing directly to Christ. Psalm 117, the shortest psalm, is a Hallelujah song that calls upon all nations to praise the LORD for His steadfast love and faithfulness in keeping His promise to send a Savior to redeem us from sin. The antiphon expands the call to praise the LORD to all time. Thus, all people everywhere and of all times, Praise the LORD!

The psalmist makes references to the place where God reigned, “my holy hill of Zion,” and where his worship was celebrated. This must refer to the Messiah, and to the fact that God had set him apart to reign over his people, and thus over all the earth. The truth taught in this passage is, that God will carry forward his own purposes in spite of all the opposition which men can make, and that it is his deliberate design to make his anointed One - the Messiah - King over all. Who knows what might befall us as we begin another week. Yet in all things; in every circumstance, we have the Lord’s promise that He who reigns will give guidance to each step you make.

Collect for Psalm 2Lord God, you gave the people of this world to be the inheritance of your Son; you crowned him as king of Zion, your holy city and gave him your Church as his bride. As he proclaims the way of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so know the royal power of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Collect for Psalm 117Lord God, you have revealed your kindness to all people. Gather the nations into your Church, that in all the various tongues of this world one hymn of praise may be offered to you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for Psalm 115Lord God, creator and ruler of the universe, you have entrusted the care the earth to its peoples. Grant that your children, surrounded by sings of your presence, may live continually in Christ, praising you through him and with him, now and forever.[1]



[1]  For All the Saints a Prayer Book For and by the Church Vol. II © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 
The illustration above carries the title of our Lord: the Anointed One, or, in Greek, ὁΧριστός, the Christ. Copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things


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