Psalm 116 is a prayer of thanksgiving of someone who has been cured of a terminal illness. “The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord” is the verse chosen as the prayer which the priest says before drinking the cup at a Catholic mass. Psalm 117, the shortest psalm, a praise psalm, is a four line doxology. Praise, the antidote to depression, worry, criticism, adversity. “For great is the Blessed One’s Love towards us; The Beloved’s faithfulness endures forever” writes Nan Merrill in Praying The Psalms. In Psalm 118 the psalmist describes how, in the name of his nation, he confidently prayed for Divine Help, received it, and now enters the temple with a thanksgiving sacrifice. The priests impart a blessing and the psalmist sings his hymn of gratitude. This Psalm is considered to be that of Luther who identifies with the psalmist’s religious theme. Like the psalmist, having spoken in the name of his people, he suffers greatly, and eventually is released from his distresses. Let us take our thanksgiving sacrifice to the temple with gratitude for this religious reformer who daringly chose to live out loud and leave us his legacy.
Psalm 116 is a prayer of thanksgiving of someone who has been cured of a terminal illness. “The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord” is the verse chosen as the prayer which the priest says before drinking the cup at a Catholic mass. Psalm 117, the shortest psalm, a praise psalm, is a four line doxology. Praise, the antidote to depression, worry, criticism, adversity. “For great is the Blessed One’s Love towards us; The Beloved’s faithfulness endures forever” writes Nan Merrill in Praying The Psalms. In Psalm 118 the psalmist describes how, in the name of his nation, he confidently prayed for Divine Help, received it, and now enters the temple with a thanksgiving sacrifice. The priests impart a blessing and the psalmist sings his hymn of gratitude. This Psalm is considered to be that of Luther who identifies with the psalmist’s religious theme. Like the psalmist, having spoken in the name of his people, he suffers greatly, and eventually is released from his distresses. Let us take our thanksgiving sacrifice to the temple with gratitude for this religious reformer who daringly chose to live out loud and leave us his legacy.
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