Praise the Beloved, O my soul!
I will give thanks to You with my whole heart,
to all who listen, I will tell of your goodness.
Wondrous is Creation, Great Builder; I take pleasure in pondering your Work.
Full of honor and integrity are your teachings;
those who follow them will find new life.
You life the hearts of those who suffer; you come to them in their need.
Your steadfast Loe is food for the soul, nourishment in times of fear.
You are ever-mindful of your covenant,
a very Presence to the weary and afflicted.
Your Voice is truth to those with ears to hear, your precepts are sure;
Written on the hearts of your people,
they are to be lived forever with faith-filed love and assurance.
You bring new life to the world;
Yes! life in abundance is your gift to us.
Holy and glorious is your Name!
Reverence for You, O Holy One, is the beginning of Wisdom;
a good understanding have all who practice it.
Your Spirit endures forever!
Nan C. Merrill Psalms for Praying
Reflection:
Psalm 111 is a psalm of praise. The last verse, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” (NRSVUE) moves the reader or hearer from celebration to action. In Psalm 112, the righteous will act as a light in the darkness. They can be described as acting: graciously, generously, mercifully, and as people who conduct their affairs with justice. These attributes (which were ascribed to God in Psalm 111) and actions are the fruit of wisdom.
Wisdom is more than being an intellectual; it is about action, specifically acting with compassion. Wisdom is knowledge that is applied lovingly. God is the source of wisdom, truth, and love. When we approach God with awe, reverence, and worship, we come away changed, and maybe a little wiser. And we use this wisdom to treat ourselves and our neighbors graciously, generously, and lovingly.
Many people pray the serenity prayer to ask for God’s guidance and wisdom. The Serenity Prayer is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr and was adopted by Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) and other 12 step groups. The short version is as follows: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Wisdom in this instance, allows us to see what is in our purview, what requires us to act, and what is out of our control that we must let go. We can not change the actions of others, we can only change ourselves. Wisdom is what allows us to make change where we can. Our actions (and in some cases our inaction) is the fruit of this wisdom.
Check out other psalm reflections in the links below or find more of my writing published in Presbyterian Outlook or listen to my experiments in podcasting on the Period Pastor Podcast. Follow me @periodpastor
I began writing Psalm reflections during Lent of 2020. Shortly after, we decided to close the church building, work from home, and worship via zoom. Many churches use the Revised Common Lectionary (RLC) that rotates scripture on a three-year cycle (A, B, and C). Starting in Advent 2019, the church decided to worship with the texts from Year D, which is still not circulated as are years A, B, and C. Year D was created with the goal of including scriptures that were left out or not used as frequently as others. While we were using Psalms in year D, most other lectionary followers were using Year A. In Advent of 2020 we rejoined those who use the lectionary in year B. Advent of 2021 year C. When we returned to in person worship, we took the psalm reflections out of the order of worship. I continued to write them for the blog. Advent of 2022 year A. I left church work in July of 2023 but continued the practice of writing psalm reflections. Advent of 2023 year B.
I use the Vanderbilt Divinity Library’s resource for lectionary readings to make text selections.
1st Sunday in Advent Psalm 25, 2nd Sunday in Advent instead of a Psalm the lectionary gives Luke 1:68-79, 3rd Sunday in Advent instead of a Psalm the lectionary gives Isaiah 12:2-6, 4th Sunday in Advent Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Psalm 96, Psalm 97, Psalm 98, 1st Sunday after Christmas, Psalm 148, New Year’s Day Psalm 8, 2nd Sunday after Christmas Psalm 147, Epiphany Psalm 72, 1st Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 29, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 36, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 19, 4th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 71, 5th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 138, 6th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 1, 7th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 37, Transfiguration Sunday (Sunday before Lent) Psalm 99
Lent: Ash Wednesday Psalm 51, 1st Sunday in Lent Psalm 91, 2nd Sunday in Lent Psalm 27, 3rd Sunday in Lent Psalm 63, 4th Sunday in Lent Psalm 32, 5th Sunday in Lent Psalm 126, 6th Sunday in Lent (Palm or Passion Sunday) Psalm 118 or 31
Easter: Easter Psalm 118 or Psalm 114, 2nd Sunday of Easter Psalm 118 or Psalm 150, 3rd Sunday of Easter Psalm 30, 4thSunday of Easter Psalm 23 or 114, 5th Sunday of Easter Psalm 148, 6th Sunday of Easter Psalm 67 or 109, Ascension Psalm 47 or Psalm 93, 7th Sunday of Easter Psalm 97 or Psalm 2, Day of Pentecost Psalm 104
Season After Pentecost (Ordinary Time): 1st Sunday after Pentecost (Trinity Sunday) Psalm 8, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 or Psalm 22, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 77 or Psalm 16, 4th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 30 or Psalm 66, 5th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 82 or Psalm 25, 6th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 52 or Psalm 15, 7th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 85 or Psalm 138, 8th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 107 or Psalm 49, 9th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 50 or Psalm 33, 10th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 80 or Psalm 82, 11th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 71or Psalm 103, 12th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 81 or Psalm 112, 13th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 139 or Psalm 1, 14th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 14 or Psalm 51, 15th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 79 or Psalm 113, 16th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 91 or Psalm 146, 17th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 137 or Psalm 37, 18th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 66 or Psalm 111, 19th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 119 or Psalm 121, 20th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 65 or Psalm 84, 21st Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 119 or Psalm 32, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 145 or Psalm 98 or Psalm 17, 23rdSunday after Pentecost Psalm 98, 24th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 46.
Sources and notes:
“Psalms 111 and 112 belong together. They are a pair, a kind of diptych. They correspond in form and language and deal with complementary topics. Psalm 111 is a praise of the works of the LORD by those who fear him. Indeed, it teaches that fear of the LORD is a work of the LORD. Psalm 112 is a commendation of the way and life of those who fear the LORD. The theme of Psalm 112 is set by the last verse of Psalm 111.” Mays p. 355
“The first word in each measure begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, twenty-two measures for twenty-two letters. In the Hebrew text each measure is composed of three words or bound expressions.” Mays p. 356
“The psalm nevertheless has an internal design. After the introductory verse 1 announces what is happening in the psalm, verse 2 establishes the theme of the whole; its subject is the great works of the LORD. Thematic words of the subject are repeated in verses 3, 4, 6, and 7 (work, wonderful deeds, works, works of his hands). The psalm descries the works of hte LORD as twofold, keeping the covenant of promise (v. 5) and establishing the covenant of commandments (v. 9).” Mays p. 356
Verse 10: ”This thesis about wisdom appears elsewhere in the Old Testament three times, always in the literature of instruction classified itself as wisdom (Provide. 1:7; 9:10; Job 28:28).” Mays p. 357
“The psalmist seems to know the words of the LORD through Scripture that can be studied. What is to be learned forms an important dimension of the psalm itself. The work of the LORD is honor and majesty, the attributes of a sovereign (45:3; 96:6; 145:5). The LORD is gracious and merciful (v. 4). The LORD remembers his covenant of promise forever and commands his covenant of precepts forever (vv. 5, 9). His name is holy and awesome (v. 9). The study of the works of the LORD nurtures the fear of the LORD in the heart. In this piety, Scripture study and praise inform had strengthen each other. Such praise, like the righteousness of the LORD, endures forever (vv. 3, 10). Mays p. 358
“True knowledge – wisdom – is not grounded in ourselves but in God, and it involves the embrace of God’s commitments and values. Thus wisdom will take concrete shape in righteousness, grace, and mercy (see vv. 3-4), and those who fear the Lord (Ps 112:1), therefore, will be “gracious, merciful, and righteous” (Ps 112:4)…” NIB p. 621
“The word translated “merciful” derives from the noun [Hebrew I don’t have the font for], whose literal meaning is “womb”. References to God’s [Hebrew I don’t have the font for], God’s “womb-love,” occurs no fewer than twenty times in the book of Psalms.” W pp. 111-112
“Thus it is a celebration of the foundational work of YHWH on behalf of the people of Israel. Its words of celebration preface the human response to YHWH called for in Psalm 112, and the wisdom words at the end of Psalm 111 provide the link to move the reader or hearer from celebration to action.” W p. 113
“Psalms 111 and 112 may belong together. Note that this opening formula [of Psalm 112] is paralleled at the beginning of 111. If the two psalms belong together, then Psalm 111 provides the theological basis for the moral conviction of 112. The world is morally coherent because the Creator is mindful of his covenant (111:5), commands his covenant (111:9), and will be obeyed.” Brueggemann, The Message of the Psalms p. 45
Alter, Robert. 2007. The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary New York: W. W. Norton & Company
WBC Allen, Leslie C. 1983. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 101-150. Vol. 21. Waco, TX: Word Books, Publisher.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 1974. Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible. 8th ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Press.
Bourgeault, C. (2006). Chanting the psalms: A practical guide Audio Book. New Seeds.
Brueggemann, Walter. 2007. Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit. 2nd ed. Eugene, OR: Cascade.
Brueggemann, Walter. 2014. From Whom No Secrets Are Hid: Introducing the Psalms. Edited by Brent A. Strawn. 1st ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
Brueggemann, Walter. Davis Hanskins, Editor. 2022. Our Hearts Wait: Worshiping Through Praise and Lament in the Psalms Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY.
Brueggemann, Walter. (2002). Spirituality of the psalms. Augsburg Pub. House.
Brueggemann, Walter. (1984). The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg.
Chilson, Richard, ed. You Shall Not Want: A Spiritual Journey Based on the Psalms. Ave Maria Press, 2009.
Chittister, Joan. (2011). Songs of the heart: reflections on the psalms. John Garratt Publishing.
Cudjoe-Wilkes, G., Wilkes, A. J., & Moss, O. (2022). Psalms for black lives: Reflections for the work of Liberation. Upper Room Books.
WBC Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1-50–Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 19. Waco, TX: Word Books.
Creach, Jerome Frederick Davis. 1998. Psalms: Interpretation Bible Studies. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
DAFLER, J. (2021). PSOBRIETY: A journey of recovery through the psalms. Louisville, KY: WESTMINSTER JOHN KNOX.
W de Claisse-Walford, Nancy L. WISDOM COMMENTARY: Psalms Bks. 4-5. Edited by Barbara E. Reid. Vol. 22. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2020.
Green, Barbara. 1997. Like a Tree Planted: An Exploration of Psalms and Parables Through Metaphor. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
W Hopkins, Denise Dombkowski. WISDOM COMMENTARY: Psalms Bks. 2-3. Edited by Barbara E. Reid. Vol. 21. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2016.
NIB Keck, Leander E. 2015. The New Interpreters Bible Commentary. Vol. 3. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Lewis, C. S. (2017). Reflections on the Psalms. Harper One, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers.
Mays, James Luther. 1994. Psalms. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press.
McCann, J. C. (1993). A theological introduction to the book of Psalms: The Psalms as Torah. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
McCann, J. C., & Howell, J. C. 2001. Preaching the Psalms. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Merrill, N. C. (2020). Psalms for praying an invitation to wholeness (10th Anniversary Edition ed.). London, England: Bloomsbury Publishing.
Miller, Patrick D. 1986. Interpreting the Psalms. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press.
Morgan, Michael. 2010. The Psalter for Christian Worship Revised Edition. Westminster John Knox Press.
Schlimm, Matthew Richard. 2018. 70 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. Nashville, TN: Abington Press.
Spong, M. (Ed.). (2020). The words of her mouth: Psalms for the struggle. Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press.
WBC Tate, Marvin E. 1990. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 51-100. Edited by David Allan. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker. Vol. 20. Waco, TX: Word.
Weems, Ann. 1995. Psalm of Lament. Westminster John Knox Pres
OTL Weiser, Artur. 1998. Old Testament Library: Psalms. Translated by Herbert Hartwell. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Manchester University Press.
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