26 April 2022

Praying with the Psalms in Easter:
26 April 2022 (Psalm 62)

‘For God alone … is my rock and my salvation’ (Psalm 62: 1-2) … the rocks and cliffs in Ballybunion, Co Kerry (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

During this season of Easter, I have returned to my morning reflections on the Psalms, and in this Prayer Diary on my blog each morning I am reflecting in these ways:

1, Short reflections on a psalm or psalms;

2, reading the psalm or psalms;

3, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary.

Psalm 62:

Psalm 62 is known in Latin Nonne Deo subiecta erit anima mea.

In the slightly different numbering system in the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate this psalm is counted as Psalm 61.

This psalm offers a warning not to let one’s power erode one’s trust in God.

Jeduthun’s name stands at the head of this psalm, as it does in Psalm 39 and Psalm 77. In I Chronicles 16: 41–42, Jeduthun is one of the chief singers, and his sons were gatekeepers at the tent of the Ark of the Covenant. His name is mentioned, perhaps, as a special honour.

In the New Testament, verse 12 is quoted in Matthew 16: 27 and Romans 2: 6.

‘How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?’ (Psalm 62: 3) … a tottering fence by the South Strand in Skerries, Co Dublin (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Psalm 62 (NRSVA):

To the leader: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

3 How long will you assail a person,
will you batter your victim, all of you,
as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.
They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse.
Selah

5 For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah

9 Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no confidence in extortion,
and set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all according to their work.

Today’s Prayer:

The theme in this week’s prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) is ‘Logging in the Solomon Islands,’ and was introduced on Sunday morning by Brother Christopher John SSF, Minister General of the Society of Saint Francis.

The USPG Prayer Diary this morning (26 April 2022) invites us to pray:

Let us pray for peace, and for the diplomatic efforts of peacemakers and peacekeepers.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

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