I Will Sing Praise to Your Name, O Most High

This meditation is based on a passage for June 8, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Psalm 9

Reflection and Question: Verse eighteen of this psalm is familiar to any who attend Mass or use the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer regularly: “For the needy shall not be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away.” This promise of God’s care over the less fortunate is repeated in the Psalms and in Christian prayers throughout the ages. At the same time, this psalm also speaks of nations and the bloody defeat of enemies. It ends with “Let the nations know they are only human.” Let us all know that we are only human, don’t you think? How is being human different from God?

Prayer: Arise, O Love! Have your way with us;
Let the nations bow down before You and ask forgiveness!
Let your healing Light stream forth, O Love,
Let the nations commit themselves to you Plan!
(Psalm 9:19-20, Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying, p.13)