Slices
Prepare
‘This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it’ (Psalm 118:24, ESV). Thank the Lord for his gift of another day.
Bible passage
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.
1 I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favour lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said,
‘I shall never be shaken.’
7 Lord, when you favoured me,
you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
8 To you, Lord, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 ‘What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
Lord, be my help.’
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you for ever.
Explore
This week we have heard Isaiah prophesying what the Lord would do in the future. Today we hear David’s response to what God has done for him. He recalls times when he was in trouble and distress, and takes time to praise God for his past help.
It can be hard for us, sometimes, when we read such passages. Perhaps we are going through sorrow that has lasted much more than a night. Maybe we can’t look back and see times where we have been in distress and God has saved us. Noticing the context of this psalm may help a little.
The section title in many Bibles states that the psalm was written by David, to be sung at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. But the Temple was built during the reign of David’s son, King Solomon (see 1 Kings 6). David didn’t see so much as a foundation stone of it. Yet he wrote this psalm in faith, believing that it would be built and that God’s people would worship there.
This is the attitude we should have reading these passages – a posture of faith, believing that God will turn our mourning to dancing and clothe us with joy. His salvation is assured.
Respond
Use this psalm to help you praise God for times he has helped or will help you.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 2,3; Acts 26
Pray for Scripture Union
SU Slovakia has started a new project, Families in the Community, which includes five webinars for parents, a podcast series covering issues families face and ways the wider community could help. Pray that it will help families to grow in faith.
