JENNY'S PSALM REFLECTIONS: 73 VERSE 1

This week’s verse is Psalm 73 verse 1.

    "Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart.”

Background:

Psalm 73 is the opening psalm of Book 3 of the Book of Psalms and the second of the "Psalms of Asaph". It has been categorized as one of the Wisdom Psalms" but some writers are hesitant about using this description because of its "strongly personal tone."

The Psalm begins with an awareness of God’s total benevolence towards us, but as we read through the Psalm we can feel the mood shifting. Those who do not put their trust in God seem to do amazingly well, why is that? Is that fair? See verse 3. The Psalmist begins to question why he walks such a difficult path and if it is worth it, verse 15? However, the Psalmist then goes to the house of the Lord (verse 17) to contemplate the situation and he does come to the conclusion that the Lord “is continually with you: you hold my right hand.”

It is important that we try and view God’s point of view in difficult times. We need to spend time with Him, in prayer, in reading the Bible and in meditation, and also in complete stillness. Do refer back to my thought for the day of 20th June 2022, on the importance of stillness in times of chaos! It is so invaluable to keep our perspective attuned to God’s perspective, as the perspective of a future better world and the ultimate fruition of the Kingdom of God. That helps us to keep our feet from slipping and we can walk forward with God in confidence.

Meditation

1. FIND A QUIET PLACE. 

Make sure that you are in a quiet place. Sit comfortably but alert – feet flat on the floor, back pushed hard against the back of the chair. Start your reflection by being open and ready to God’s presence.

2. Focus on your breathing.

Pay attention to in-breaths and out-breaths. You may think of breathing in God’s life and peace and breathing out any tension.

3. Be aware of your body.

Let your aches and pains be there. Rest your hands in your lap; you don’t need to be doing anything with them now. Rest your feet on the floor; you don’t need to go anywhere. Shrug your shoulders, ease your neck. Take time to become still and repeat verse 1 to yourself. Think of how God has stood by you in times of trouble and how you have felt his support.

4. Say the verses aloud to yourself

 In the stillness, listen to what God might be saying to you. Finish with the prayer below.

Heavenly Father, may we find wisdom in your presence and set our hope not on uncertain riches but on the love that holds us to the end; in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen