Psalm 34:1-8 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 34:1-8 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.
Devotion
This summer we’ve been dwelling in the words of John 6. Perhaps you’ll take a break from this and go to Psalm 34. The psalmist entreats us by saying, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them.” The wilderness of the world is no match for the Lord who protects, feeds, and encamps us. Our readings for this Sunday give evidence of this. In the wilderness, an angel encamped Elijah by giving him bread and water. In the wilderness, Jesus encamped the 5,000 by giving bread and fish to all who were hungry. In the wilderness of our lives, Ephesians tells us to put away all bitterness and live in love as Christ loved us. In other words—through us, with us, and in us, the Lord encamps all those with whom we encounter. What a wonderful verse to sum up our texts today! “O taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Prayer
Thank you, O God, for coming to this world in Christ and encamping among us. I will bless the Lord at all times. Let us exalt God’s name together! Amen.
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