Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
Verse 2I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
Verse 3You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
Verse 4'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah
Verse 15Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;
Verse 16they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.
Verse 17For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.
Verse 18For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Devotion
My mother once told me I started humming Jesus Loves Me in the high chair before she could finish stuffing me with the Gerber green peas. As a church organist I can imagine how pleased she was realizing she influenced me more with her music than her cooking.
"Your love, O LORD, forever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness."
In my life beyond the high chair, however, times have appeared when the music seemed to fade away. Not only did the "forever singing to the Lord" appear to be on hold, but often there arose that perennial question as to whether the music would ever be heard again. I once stood in a morgue for an entire afternoon with a family who had just lost a son in an auto crash. If there was music at all, it was the mere drone of lament. When the mother pleaded asking where Jesus was, I could only say he was streaming down their faces in their silent tears. And yet, through his covenant song of mercy, he was there.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, put a new song in my mouth when the music seems to disappear. Even at night your song is with me. Amen.