Saturday, April 10, 2010

bread for today

During my time in the Philippines, I've been waking up with the dawn. Literally. I really enjoy the early morning, but waking up while it is still dark outside is early even for me. Instead of fighting frustration for an hour before breakfast is ready, the Lord has been good to guide me towards greeting the sunrise over the South Sea with a cup of coffee and the Psalms. This morning Psalm 103 poured refreshment and perspective in front of me to walk in today. This Psalm beckons one into praise from the onset, appropriating our affections towards the hope of our souls.
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
he will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.

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