Psalm for Sunday, July 28, 2013

Reflections

Psalm 138:  1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8
 
Our psalmist David composed
this prayer of a grateful heart.
“I will give thanks to you,
O Lord, with all my heart.”
 
David is grateful because his
petitions are answered by the Lord.
“For you have heard the words
of my mouth.”   The Lord's answers
to our psalmist's prayers have come
at a critical time,  a time when David
is seeking to build up his strength.
 
David speaks of a divine rescue --
“When I cried out, you answered;
you strengthened my spirit.”
Perhaps we’re all in need of a spiritual
rescue of the type David describes.
 
And it isn’t because of any of the
psalmist’s virtues that he obtains salvation.
It is a result of God’s loving fidelity.
“Lord, your love is eternal.”
 
Our Savior Jesus conveys a similar
teaching in this Sunday's Gospel,
“Ask and you will receive; seek and
you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you.  For everyone
who asks, receives; and the one
who seeks, finds.”
 
Our God does not forsake the work
of His hands, though who has given
the Lord anything that he may be repaid?
 
Our psalmist reminds us—all God
has to do is stretch out his right hand,
and we will be saved.  “You stretch out
your hand, your right hand saves me.”
 
Unworthy as we are, and though the
Lord is exalted, He watches over us in
our lowly state.   And thanks be to God,
His kindness endures forever.
 
Amen

 
Discussion Questions for Reflection
 
1.  Our psalmist affirms that God answers
our needs, "Lord, on the day I called for help,
you answered me."   Give an example of how
your prayers have been answered at a critical time
in your life.
 
2.  The Psalm reminds us that although the Lord is
exalted, He sees the lowly.   What is it that gives you
confidence that the Lord will not forsake you, even
though He is exalted and you are among the lowly ones.