Psalm 81:1-10—These verses are the appointed Palm for this coming week. While God has fed Israel with tears (Ps 80:5) his desire has been to fill their mouth with ‘the finest of the wheat’ and ‘honey from the rock’ (81:10, 16).
This is a lovely message of sustenance, of feeding. Of course it is exaggerated in its language. While the ‘finest of wheat’ can be comprehended, one does not get honey from a rock! ‘Honey’ is clear. Its sweetness is a delight and desirable. It was a delicacy in ancient times.
But the reference to the rock has little to do with the source of honey. Rather it is an allusion back to the Exodus, and the place of testing. In every circumstance the Lord provides. Which, of course, is the point the psalmist is making. The Lord holds you in the palm of his hand. If this is so, he will sustain you. He can do none other.
Collect for Psalm 81: Almighty Father you rescued your people from slavery, and through the Passion of your Son, acquired a new people united in his body and marked with the sign of his holiness. Feed us with your finest bread so that we may have food for this life and a foretaste of eternity, where you live and reign with your Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen
Prayer for blessing on the Word: Lord Jesus Christ, giver and perfecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Collect for Psalm 81, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II copyright 1995, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
Collect for blessing on the Word from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
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