Psalm 113
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
“Even though he slay me yet will I praise him.” I don’t remember where that quote comes from, but I’ve been repeating it like a mantra lately. As the weight of the world bears down harder and harder on us, God’s mandate to offer our sacrifice of praise becomes clearer and clearer.
Our African brothers and sisters have a responsive chant that they say in all circumstances. “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.”
We are navigating dark times in our nation and in the world. This isn’t the first (or the last) time, but it’s our time. My emotions have been swinging from joy in the Lord to despair many times throughout each day. I’m sure I’m not alone.
What remains unchanged is my absolute faith and dependence on God. I know that God will never abandon or forsake us. Singing God’s praises during a time of lament brings healing and God’s peace which passes all understanding. It is my first, last, and only hope.
Lord God: It is well with my soul. AMEN