Psalm 111:1 Halleluyah!
I will wholeheartedly give thanks to Adonai
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 The deeds of Adonai are great,
greatly desired by all who enjoy them.
3 His work is full of majesty and splendor,
and his righteousness continues forever.
4 He has gained renown for his wonders.
Adonai is merciful and compassionate.
5 He gives food to those who fear him.
He remembers his covenant forever.
6 He shows his people how powerfully he works
by giving them the nations as their heritage.
7 The works of his hands are truth and justice;
all his precepts can be trusted.
8 They have been established forever and ever,
to be carried out truly and honestly.
9 He sent redemption to his people
and decreed that his covenant should last forever.
His name is holy and fearsome —
10 the first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of Adonai;
all those living by it gain good common sense.
His praise stands forever.[Complete Jewish Bible]We live in a world that often breaks our hearts. Our hearts break over violence and injustice. Our hearts break over war and devastation. Our hearts break over the hurts, big and small, that we inflict upon each other. Human beings are capable of terrible things. The sin that we encounter in our own lives and in the world around us threatens to leave us with shattered and fragmented hearts.
Then, in the words of the psalmist, we hear that God promises that when turn to God in worship, we are given a path back to a whole heart. God is full of power, capable of great works of beauty, and provides the people with good things. We may be capable of terrible things, but our God is capable of even more wonderful things. That same God chooses to extend love, mercy and grace to us in the midst of our brokenness. God is faithful and trustworthy to receive the meager offering of our battered and bruised hearts and in return to give us hope and a path toward wisdom and wholeness.
Loving God, we pray for the broken-hearted, the hungry, the devastated, the lost and the sick. We thank you that even though our sin has fragmented our hearts and the hearts of others, you offer us an abundance of healing, love and grace. Encourage us to use our pain and brokenness in service to you and your wonderful purposes and lead us toward the wisdom only you can give. In the name of your broken and risen Son we pray. Amen.
Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun
Associate and Campus Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Glendale, Calif.
Master of Divinity , 2007
Psalm 111:1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.[New Revised Standard Version]
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