Photo ©2015 Amanda Gross This song of praise and reassurance seems to be written for the psalmist’s own heart. By it he is remembering, reminding himself that it is in keeping his eye on God that human scorn and pride can be muted, letting a Divine peace take its place. The psalmist gazes upward and by this is continually reminded that God is transcendent, high above him in the heavens. But there is no great removal of God in this distance; indeed even at these heights, this great and Holy God has an eye to the everydayness of his quest to be tempered and found faithful.
The next couplet begs mercy, acknowledging his contempt. The words that follow are spoken perhaps to remind himself that even though God is “high”, God cares for him enough to hear and to provide merciful instruction. God’s very presence is as near as the mistress’ hand to her maid. As we follow the gaze of the psalmist in this Song of Ascent – spoken probably on the way up the Temple Hill – the psalmist remembers confession always comes first. The trek up the Temple Hill is perhaps just for this.
As we go, the psalmist’s words of prayer remind again that God is never absent or far away. God indeed is forever close-at-hand. We can ask for and receive in all our travels God’s word of goodness and mercy for our lives.
- Linda Lea Snyder
The next couplet begs mercy, acknowledging his contempt. The words that follow are spoken perhaps to remind himself that even though God is “high”, God cares for him enough to hear and to provide merciful instruction. God’s very presence is as near as the mistress’ hand to her maid. As we follow the gaze of the psalmist in this Song of Ascent – spoken probably on the way up the Temple Hill – the psalmist remembers confession always comes first. The trek up the Temple Hill is perhaps just for this.
As we go, the psalmist’s words of prayer remind again that God is never absent or far away. God indeed is forever close-at-hand. We can ask for and receive in all our travels God’s word of goodness and mercy for our lives.
- Linda Lea Snyder
Today pray for:
First Baptist Church of South Londonderry and their pastors Chris and Kathleen Blackey
South Newfane Baptist Church and their pastor Malcolm Hamblett
Fresh visioning in our churches
First Baptist Church of South Londonderry and their pastors Chris and Kathleen Blackey
South Newfane Baptist Church and their pastor Malcolm Hamblett
Fresh visioning in our churches
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