tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176231645022543980.post6275484520962474847..comments2024-03-21T21:08:08.923-07:00Comments on Celebrate the Psalms: Psalm for Sunday, November 8, 2015Editor @ Parishworld.nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11351018547370080019noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176231645022543980.post-63780673115043312222015-11-05T16:42:56.568-08:002015-11-05T16:42:56.568-08:00This Psalm is the first of the "last five&quo...This Psalm is the first of the "last five" Psalms in the Bible; this series of Psalms overflows with praise. They begin and end with "Praise the Lord" or "Hallelujah," depending on your translation. Although I have a hard time with it, I am in the midst of training myself to praise the Lord in all circumstances. <br /> <br />His Word tells us to do so numerous times, including in Philippians 4:4,6, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God." <br /> <br />The first thing that happens when I praise Him, is that I am lifted out of my oppressive situation. The chains of vengeance, anger, drudgery or self-pity fly off. I am no longer imprisoned. Praising God is a clear prescription for being set free. I let the Lord take my burdens and my fears. In exchange, I need only carry his light yoke (Matthew 11:30). Thank you, Jesus. <br />J Kimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176231645022543980.post-49940821672963773692015-11-04T17:38:50.634-08:002015-11-04T17:38:50.634-08:00Oppressed people are people that stronger people a...Oppressed people are people that stronger people are not kind to. Also, the oppressed people are not free to do what they want to do. So, they feel that life is like being in a prison. <br /><br />The word "righteous" means God’s people. The word "righteous" itself means "very, very good." Only God is really righteous. But He says his own people are righteous too. He makes them righteous because He is with them. God "protects strangers." God also protects children that have no fathers. And he protects widows.<br /><br />We are encouraged to put confidence in God. We must hope in the providence of God for all we need as to this life, and in the grace of God for that which is to come. When on earth, his miracles were examples of what He is still doing every day. <br /><br />He grants deliverance to captives bound in the chains of sin and Satan. He opens the eyes of the understanding. He feeds with the bread of life those who hunger for salvation; and He is the constant Friend of the poor in spirit, the helpless: with Him poor sinners, that are as fatherless, find mercy; and his kingdom shall continue for ever. And as the Lord shall reign for ever, let us stir up each other to praise his holy name.Rudy Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176231645022543980.post-19446680702444123942015-11-03T19:05:09.657-08:002015-11-03T19:05:09.657-08:00Even though I experienced a hunger for the Lord an...Even though I experienced a hunger for the Lord and for a deeper faith at one time or another, I did not know the way. But the Psalmist tells me in Psalm 146 just to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. <br /><br />Whatever imprisons us, Jesus will set us free from the oppressing evil hands. And so I open my heart and turn to the Lord to ask Him to set me free. Give me hearing to hear so I can truly hear God's voice.<br /><br />I feel fortunate God provides real food. Through Elijah, God promises the widow she will not go hungry. As He promises, God sustains us with real food and drink as well as spiritual food -- bread and wine. I am fed by Him every time I go to receive the Eucharist. This food satisfies my spiritual hunger and nourishes me. It fills me with peace and joy. And also my faith can be strengthened by it.<br /> Bethnoreply@blogger.com