Verses 12–15 deal with sanctification—godly living—asking for guidance
and instruction. The closing verses of the psalm, though not appointed
for next week’s reading, brings the plea full circle, as, once again, we pray
for deliverance from suffering and from persecution by our foes, those who are
opposed to the Lord and to those
faithful to the Lord.
By means of instruction the
Psalmist reminds us of a simple yet powerful aspect of our faith – we receive
mercy; God’s undeserved compassion and forgiveness. God does not require us to
earn His forgiveness or gifts. He teaches and leads the humble; those not
esteemed by the world. Those who live by
faith receive the blessings of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Faith
does not earn these blessings but receives them.
In these difficult economic
times, how much we want to hear the promise that God will make us abundantly
prosperous in our undertakings and in the fruit of our bodies, livestock, and
soil. (Deuteronomy 30:9) No need for another stimulus package. A God-ensured
economic recovery must surely be right around the corner. Yet, as a response to
this reading, Psalm 25 leads us to pause and contemplate what it means to
prosper in God.
Psalm 25:1-10 is not a heartfelt
expression of gratitude for a windfall, but a heartfelt expression of trust in
God. "The first ten verses of the
psalm, which make up the present lection, constitute, at root, a theological
reflection and heartfelt plea rising out of that reflection."[1]
In fact, rather than a rousing
chorus of "Happy Days Are Here Again," these verses are an introit to
lament and an expression of the trust that makes it possible to complain to
God. The psalmist asks God for instruction on how to avoid shame and disgrace
and then provides instruction of those who wait on the Lord.
"To you, O Lord, I lift my soul," the psalmist declares (25:1).
Anyone who has regularly sung Psalm 141 as part of Vespers or Evening Prayer
will find in these simple words a profound description of prayer. To lift up
one's soul to God is shorthand for lifting up one's hands in an outstretched
position in prayer. The gesture signifies holding one's conscious identity,
one's life, outstretched to God in sole and complete dependence upon God and
God's help. To pray, "To you, O
Lord, I lift up my soul" (25:1) "is a psalmic synonym for 'In you I trust' (verse 2) ... and 'I wait for you' (verses 3-5, 21)."[2]
To prosper in God is to own and
acknowledge one's utter dependence upon God. Deserving has nothing to do with
it.
[1] Roger
E. Van Harn and Brent A. Strawn (eds.), Psalms for Preaching and Worship: A
Lectionary Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009), 109.
[2] James Luther
Mays, Psalms, Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and
Preaching (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1994), 124-125.
[3]Prayer
for Psalm 25 For All the Saints A Prayer
Book For and by the Church copyright © 1994 The American Luther Publicity
Bureau Delhi, NY
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