Psalm 33: 1-4, 11, 13, 18-22. New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
Praise befits the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
he sees all humankind.
18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 to deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.
21 Our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Meditation
This Psalm from an anonymous author, has been chosen because of its keyword hope, which appears twice in our text. The reasons for that hope we find in verse 4 and 11. In verse 4 we read: For the word of the Lord is upright, meaning all God’s words are right and true – they can be trusted. The Bible is reliable, because unlike people, God does not forget, change his mind, change his words or leave his promises unfulfilled. We can trust the Bible because it contains words of a holy, trustworthy and unchangeable God.
In verse 11a we read: The counsel of the Lord stands for ever, meaning God’s plans never change. While we may be disappointed by inconsistencies we see in others and in ourselves, his intentions never change.
Thereafter, we read twice that God looks down from Heaven. In verse 13b that he sees all humankind, becoming more specific in verse 18: Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love. Our souls wait in trust for the Lord, to help and shield us, as we place our hope in Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father God, in the middle of this week I come to seek your presence, seeking stillness, seeking solid ground. As my life has changed so much, I praise you that you are unchangeable, steadfast and your word is true. That you look after, help and shield, the soul of everyone who comes in faith to you. Then my fears are stilled and my strivings cease. As I place my life, my hope in you. Amen.
Hymn - Singing the Faith 351 – In Christ alone - verse 1
1 In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace;
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
Keith Getty (b.1974), Stuart Townend (b.1963)
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