Tuesday prior to Proper 19

 

[1]

Psalm 103:1–12—What a beautiful psalm of comfort! David praises the LORD for all His benefits to us: He forgives all our iniquity, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the pit, and more. Why? Because the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

David, overwhelmed by a sense of God’s  blessings, mercy and forgiveness, writes what is perhaps one of the most meaningful poems in the entire book of Psalms.

The psalm’s primary concern is not the current human condition, but the wonder and majesty of an Almighty God, to whom we belong forever.

The psalmist reminds us that our ultimate concern, even in the midst of uncertain and fearful times, does not have to be the vulnerability of our human condition.

Our ultimate concern can become the spirit in which we turn to God in hope and turn to neighbor in love. Let us look to God, our Creator, for comfort and let us turn to others to help and be helped.

Psalm 103 describes an active and powerful God who cares about humanity, a God whose mighty hand extends down into the Pit of human frailty to lift us up and set our feet once again on solid ground.

We serve a God who is full of deep compassion, a God whose steadfast love never ceases, a God whose mercies never come to an end. Yes, we are vulnerable, susceptible creatures, and one day, our human bodies will fail. But God’s steadfast love will never fail. We come from dust and to dust we shall return, and God’s righteousness and steadfast love will always be at work among us, and in our children, and, after we are gone, in their children after them.

Prayer for Psalm 103: Lord, you have compassion for the sinner, as a father has compassion for his children. Heal the weakness of your people and save us from everlasting death that with the saints and angels we may praise and glorify you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever.[2] 

 

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for Psalm 103, For All the Saints a Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY