Tuesday prior to Proper 9

 

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 Psalm 123—This Psalm of David is a prayer of God’s humble people for Him to show mercy and so foil the contempt of the proud. There are many obstacles to ministry in this world. This earth is fallen. Yet despite obstacles, the Lord has not left His church to ruin nor has He turned His back on us. To the contrary, this psalm speaks of God’s control of the universe, His church and His people.

This psalm is simply titled “A Song of Ascents.” It is another in the series of psalms sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem at feast time. These songs give us a pattern of preparation to meet with God and His people.

“This Psalm (as ye see) is but short, and therefore a very fit example to show the force of prayer not to consist in many words, but in fervency of spirit. For great and weighty matters may be comprised in a few words, if they proceed from the spirit and the unspeakable groaning of the heart, especially when our necessity is such as will not suffer any long prayer. Every prayer is long enough if it be fervent and proceeds from a heart that understands the necessity of the saints.” (Martin Luther)

Collect for Psalm 123: Lord, our creator and redeemer, we look to you for all that we need. Look with favor on us, your servants, and give us your grace; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]  -29 June 2021—

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[1] Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Psalm 123, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1996 Delhi, NY