Devotion • November 25
Today’s Scripture Reading
Psalm 111
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. (NRSV)
Reflection
This psalm is an acrostic, a kind of poetic pneumonic device for recalling and reciting God’s goodness. It’s not a long acrostic, like Psalm 119 (176 verses!), but a short acrostic, which, according to Robert Alter, means that “instead of one line of poetry for each letter, each half line, or verset, begins with a different letter of the alphabet in sequence.”
It’s impossible to get then from the English translation, of course, but it feels useful to point out as a reminder that the Hebrew psalms are more than literary compositions to be read in silent contemplation but are memorable phrasings of praise for the faithful to recite aloud together. We worship God for God’s goodness in one another’s company, voicing aloud what we know of God’s grace and goodness. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. World without end. Amen. Amen.
I recently joined some of our eighth-grade Confirmation students in the south balcony of the Sanctuary for the last half of a worship service. When it came time for the Affirmation of Faith, I noticed that a few of them were reciting the Apostles’ Creed from memory, not looking at the printed bulletin at all. In the company of the faithful they have learned faith, and they can voice it for themselves.
The last verse of the psalm is its most memorable, a phrase that appears twice in Proverbs as well as here: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Fear in this context is not anxiety or trepidation, but rather reverence and awe. This is the grounding of our vocalizations of faith, whether alone in our homes or together in worship online and in the Sanctuary, a respect and reverence for what God has done and continues to do. Lest we forget that, the Bible makes it memorable.
Prayer
Lord God, we give thanks to you with our whole heart for your great works unto us, your mercy, your provision, your redemption. May your praise ever be on our lips, and may we grow in worship and wisdom always, to your great glory. Amen.
Written by Rocky Supinger, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry and Worship
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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