Psalm and Prayer of the Day July 10

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Psalm 84

The Joy of Worship in the Temple

To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
    my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house,
    ever singing your praise.Selah

5 Happy are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.[a]
6 As they go through the valley of Baca
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
    the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    give ear, O God of Jacob!Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
    look on the face of your anointed.

10 For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
    happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Reflection: This is such an encouraging psalm, focusing on worship and the presence of God in one’s life.   Verses 5-7 can be particularly meaningful in troubling times as they speak to the strength God provides.  Rather than living from fear to fear, being bounced around by the stress and anxiety in our lives, through our relationship with God we can move from strength to strength.  What a powerful reminder of God’s providential care.  Thanks be to God!
Prayer:
Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection.
Especially we thank you for
the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering…
the ministry of Word and Sacrament…
all who work to help and heal…
sacrifices made for our benefit…
opportunities for our generous giving…
(Other prayers of thanksgiving…).
God of grace, let our concern for others reflect Christ’s self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice.
Especially we pray for
those subjected to tyranny and oppression…
wounded and injured people…
those who face death…
those who may be our enemies…
the church in Latin America…
(other prayers of intercession…). Amen.