Monday prior to Lent 3

 

Psalm 5:4-8, Antiphon, Psalm 1:6: For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. In keeping with our theme – a life of repentance – the antiphon reminds us that the righteous will be saved but the wicked will perish. They will perish for they do not repent. Implicit in the destinies of the two lifestyles are the destinies of those who choose them. This will be further explained in the Old Testament lesson for the week.

Psalm 5 – A Morning Prayer

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David. The title of the psalm indicates that it was directed toward the Chief Musician, whom some suppose to be the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6). The title also tells us that the song was deliberately written to be accompanied with flutes. It shows David coming to the LORD in the morning and receiving the strength and joy he needs to make it through the day against many adversaries.[1]

The Antiphon, Psalm 1:6; For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Summary: The way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly.

The LORD knows the way of the righteous: The righteous can have peace because a loving God in heaven knows their way, and will protect and preserve them.

“Or, as the Hebrew has it yet more fully, ‘The Lord is knowing the way of the righteous.’ He is constantly looking on their way, and though it may be often in mist and darkness, yet the Lord knoweth it.”

The way of the ungodly shall perish: The way of the ungodly leads to destruction. They are on a broad path that may seem comfortable now and the path gives them lots of company, but in the end they shall perish.

At least four times in the Book of Acts, Christianity is called the Way. Certainly, it is the way of the righteous, not the way of the ungodly.[2]

Collect for Psalm 5: Holy Lord, all justice and all goodness come from you. You hate evil and abhor lies. Lead us in the path of justice, so that all who hope in you may with the Church rejoice in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]-

Today is St. Patrick’s Day a man used by God to spread the Gospel to the people of Ireland. On this day we pray for the same missionary zeal in our own day.

[5]

Almighty and ever-living God as you used Patrick to teach the people of Ireland the truth of the eternal Trinity so make us faithful in all matters of teaching and godly living to the praise and honor of Your most holy name.[6] -

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-5/

[2] ibid

[3] Collect for Psalm 5, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Collect for newness of life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

5] Icon of St. Patrick copyright © Google images

[6] ibid