Psalm 145:8-14 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 145:8-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Verse 9The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
Verse 10All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.
Verse 11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power,
Verse 12to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Verse 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.
Verse 14The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
Devotion
Greatness and goodness! Those are two words in the heading of this Psalm in some editions of the NRSV translation. Independence is great! It is good! We seek it! We want it! The last thing we desire is someone controlling our lives. As mentioned yesterday, freedom was a key hope for Israel. They found hope in the king who came riding in and they rejoiced. Today freedom is ill defined by doing whatever you want. With little regard for the neighbor, we trample over a gift that only God can give. Independence loses its greatness and goodness unless it is rooted in the God who is both for us. The psalmist captured it, wrote of it. Today we should as well. Despite our failure, the Lord is gracious and merciful. It is time to acknowledge and thank the Lord for faithfulness, power, mighty deeds, and upholding and raising up all who are bowed down.
Prayer
Lord of the nations, Lord of our nation, direct us and guide us. Lead us to work for peace and justice, depending always on the Spirit to empower us in all we say and do. Amen.