Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 34:1-10, 22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Verse 2My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Verse 3O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Verse 4I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Verse 5Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
Verse 6This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
Verse 7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Verse 8O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
Verse 9O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
Verse 10The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Verse 22The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Devotion
Luther wrote that the Psalter is the "book of all saints". Whoever we are and wherever we find ourselves in life, we find faith-filled words in the Psalms that fit us like a comforting blanket. We join in the same struggles, the same hopes, the same fears, joys and songs of praise as the saints before us and those with us.
In all our struggles about being worthy, all our questions about the status quo, all the times we find disconnect between the scriptures and our faith, actions and the world around us, we turn to seek the Lord. On this day of Reformation, we repent from our own ways and delight ourselves again in God’s goodness. Taste and see! Exalt God’s name together! None of those who take refuge in God will be condemned! May this Psalm sing in your heart today.
Prayer
This poor soul cries, and God, you hear. In change, in confusion and in re-formation, give me all I need to keep trusting you. Amen.