Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever.
Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever…
Open to me the gates of righteousness.
I will enter into them.
I will give thanks to Yahweh.
This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
This is Yahweh’s doing.
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that Yahweh has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it!
Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh!
Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.
Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name!
We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.
Yahweh is God, and he has given us light.
Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.
You are my God, I will exalt you.
Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29(WEB)
Lectionary texts: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Mark 11:1-11
The lectionary texts for Palm Sunday are only two passages. The focus is on, of course, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Today I want to meditate on the Old Testament text.
This is a straightforward praise – petition – praise psalm. The writer begins by acknowledging who God is and how He is worthy of praise and thanks for all. Period. It is a good example for me to pattern my own prayers. No matter what I am praying about. It may be rejoicing for answered prayer. It may be a heart-cry for something I have no control and no visible positive resolution in my sight.
It is so important that I spend time meditating on what God has done. What is God’s history in situations that seem to be without hope? Over and over and over God reaches out His hand to His imperfect children, pulling them out of the mud and mire. Even when He is allowing the consequences of their choices to play out, God is not an absent or distant Father. When (not if) I sin and feel the conviction of God’s Spirit, I will remember this passage in Psalm 118 and come to my Father and ask forgiveness, knowing that He is the only one who can and will forgive and restore.
And then end my prayers with an affirmation that even if I cannot see the solutions now, I know that my LORD is real and good and loving. He has created all and so has power over all. And yet, He is the most kind and tender and will be with me every step of each day.
If you are having a struggle today, then do not leave this psalm until you have committed the character of God in your heart by repeating and meditating on these words. You deserve this truth. God wants you to have it.
