Wind in the Chimes: To whom do you turn in the midst of trouble?
Prayer and Peace in a single verse
Trouble, danger, chaos, upset, frustration: whatever you call it, it can happen in just a moment or last years. From moment to moment in a day, day by day in a week, week by week in a month, month by month in a year, we may experience “trouble.”
In the midst of trouble, the Psalmist is our guide: that is the point to turn with heartfelt trust (like the Psalmist) and declare, “you [my God, my Lord] preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.” You are not alone in the midst of trouble.
Trust these words. Let your God walk with you, love you, and deliver you. God’s Peace is yours, always, in the midst of trouble.
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Wind in the Chimes (renaming and reintroduction of Wind Chimes, 7/21/20)
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise… Psalm 138:1 (NRSV)
Welcome!
Psalm 138 (NRSVue) gives thanks and speaks powerfully to the majesty and humility of the God who loves us. Sometimes it helps to hear more than one translation of the ancient text to discover new dimensions of our relationship with God.
Here is Psalm 138 from the New Jerusalem Bible:
1I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart, for you have listened to the cry I uttered. In the presence of angels I sing to you,
2I bow down before your holy Temple. I praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy; your promises surpass even your fame.
3You heard me on the day when I called, and you gave new strength to my heart.
4All the kings of the earth give thanks to you, Yahweh, when they hear the promises you make;
5they sing of Yahweh’s ways, ‘Great is the glory of Yahweh!’
6Sublime as he is, Yahweh looks on the humble, the proud he picks out from afar.
7Though I live surrounded by trouble you give me life—to my enemies’ fury! You stretch out your right hand and save me,
8Yahweh will do all things for me. Yahweh, your faithful love endures for ever, do not abandon what you have made.
Here is Psalm 138 from the Tanakh:
1Of David. I praise You with all my heart, sing a hymn to You before the divine beings;
2I bow toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your steadfast love and faithfulness, because You have exalted Your name, Your word, above all.
3When I called, You answered me, You inspired me with courage.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, for they have heard the words You spoke.
5They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, “Great is the majesty of the Lord!”
6High though the Lord is, He sees the lowly; lofty, He perceives from afar.
7Though I walk among enemies, You preserve me in the face of my foes; You extend Your hand; with Your right hand You deliver me.
8The Lord will settle accounts for me. O Lord, Your steadfast love is eternal; do not forsake the work of Your hands.
As always, our sacred text (in its various English translations) questions us even as we speak, listen to, and hear the words:
Throughout the day, how often do you pause and give thanks? How often is thanksgiving done with all your heart? How might you experience or describe a half-hearted thanksgiving? A whole-hearted thanksgiving? (v. 1)
In verse 1 the Psalmist sings before “gods” (NRSV), “angels” (NJB), or “divine beings” (Tanakh). Which translation speaks to your heart? Why is that? Close your eyes, picture and feel and hear yourself singing your thanksgiving in such hallowed company. Well?
In the NRSVue verse 3 reads: “On the day I called, you answered me; “you increased my strength of soul.” The NJB translates God’s answer as “you gave new strength to my heart.” The Tanakh translates God’s answer as “You inspired me with courage.” Again, which translation speaks to your heart and why is that?
With these few examples from verses 1 and 3, I encourage you to allow the text (in various translations) to question you. Become quiet. Hear what the Spirit is saying to you. Hear how the Spirit—in the sacred text—both questions and encourages you.
*Most Wednesday mornings a group of us gather online to explore the readings that will be used in worship the following Sunday. This week’s handout features readings, commentaries, and notes for the Third Sunday after Pentecost (June 9, 2024) in Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary. Please: View or download the handoutwe used to guide our discussion and tune our hearts to the Spirit.
Hear what the Spirit is saying 