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God Will Ransom My Soul for God Will Receive Me

On May 21, 2010 ⋅ No comments

This meditation is based on a passage for May 21, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Psalm 49

Reflection and Question: “Mortals can not abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish,” is the refrain for this wisdom song whose tone echoes that of the book of Ecclesiastes with its repeated theme, “Vanity of vanity, all is vanity.” And yet, out of this stoic perspective grows the singer’s hope expressed in the assertion that “God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for God will receive me.” The psalm concludes that neither riches nor wisdom will save us from the grave. Only God and God’s full power will rescue us and place us in God’s everlasting arms. How stoic are you?

Prayer: Truly I cannot save myself, or offer a haven of peace to another,
When my home is like a hornet’s nest, a hive of restless fears.
Turning to you, O Guiding Spirit, is my strength and support, 
A stronghold in times of trouble. Amen.
(from Psalm 49, Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying, p. 95)

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