Psalm
28:1-2, 6-7, Antiphon, Psalm 28:8 – The Lord is the strength of His people, He is the saving refuge
of His anointed. The entire psalm is a prayer for
deliverance from deadly peril at the hands of malicious and God-defying
enemies. To rebel against the Lord’s Anointed is also to rebel against the One
who anointed him. The Lord’s anointed is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The English word “Messiah” comes from
the Hebrew word for “anointed one”
and the English word “Christ” comes
from the Greek word for “anointed one”.
(See also Matthew 1:17)
God’s
standard of excellence is the theme for this coming Sunday. In the Old
Testament lesson (Isaiah 35:4-7a), God’s people are called to be
strong and not to fear as God promises to come to His people. The language
which is used is similar to that used of the coming Messiah. In the Epistle
lesson (James 2:1-10
14-18) excellence is seen in how the believer
behaves. Favoritism is forbidden; rather keeping the law is what is expected.
The Christian faith is not merely a philosophical exercise of the mind. Faith
by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
In
the Gospel lesson (Mark 7:31-37) a standard of excellence has been
stamped on everything Jesus has done. He fulfills the prediction given in the
Old Testament lesson. This causes the believer to express praise and adoration
to the Lord who has done all things well as expressed in the hymn of the day,
which is based on this week’s appointed psalm (Psalm 146).
Collect for Psalm 28: Strong Shepherd of your people, when you Son stretched out his hands on the cross, you heard him and he did not become like those who go down into the pit. By his resurrection strengthen your people to offer you thanks for the mighty works that you have done, and make our hearts dance for joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]-30 August 2021
[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright © from WELS used with permission for personal and congregational use
[2] Collect for Psalm 28, For All The Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. IV, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1986 Delhi, NY
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