Friday, January 17, 2014
Psalm 16, 17
These two Psalms complement one another quite nicely. Psalm 16 is largely positive, optimistic.
“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot” (16:5).
As we move on to Psalm 17, however, the mood changes immediately. The psalmist in this context is clearly occupied with some sort of problem, facing fierce opposition.
“Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit” (17:1).
“Rise up, O LORD, confront them, overthrow them! By your sword deliver my life from the wicked...” (17:13).
In both pieces, though, the psalmist is able to move forward, through the good and the bad, by remembering his rootedness in the ways of God.
“I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me” (16:7).
“My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped” (17:5).
What I can take from my reading of these Psalms is that when I am celebrating a victory or bemoaning a difficult time, I should be mindful that I’m never on my own. I am confident that I have a God who walks with me along the twists and turns of life.
-Matthew Kieswetter
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