May 1st — Psalm 61

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So I will always sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows day after day.” Psalm 61

Psalm 61 was written by a Psalmist at a time when he must have been far from home and safety. It begins with his desperate cry to G-d. He is despairing, lost, and struggling. “My heart is faint!” he tells the Lord.

If we are honest, many of us can relate to these feelings. We know what it is like to sit in darkness, alone, sheltering in place, scared of things we cannot see and wondering if all of this will soon end. In his sorrow, the Psalmist calls out to G-d in prayer. He knows that the only way he can rest and find safety in the Rock of Salvation is if G-d reaches down and places him atop the rock.

In G-d, many have found the shelter they needed in their darkest hours. Many have found rest, comfort, and retreat when the world has closed in and all seemed lost. So why would we not, in our darkest moments, cry out to the G-d who is our “rock,” our shelter, our hiding place, and our fortress? And as we cry out, just like the Psalmist we know we will find comfort in G-d’s grace and care.

Sometimes, when our hearts are overwhelmed, all we need do is cry out to G-d and ask that in our desperation and fear, G-d would place us on stable ground. G-d would comfort us and lead us to safety. G-d would shelter us and deliver us. What is overwhelming you in this season besides the Covid-19 virus and the variety of sheltering-in demands and activities? What weighs heavy on your heart? Hopefully, the words of this song and Psalm will bring you comfort and a small amount of peace as you remember that when your heart is overwhelmed, you can always find rest in G-d your rock.

PRAYER

O God our refuge, in the midst of violence be a tower of safety for all who cry out to you. Strengthen our faith in your mercy, that we may sing your praise from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

May 2nd — Psalm 62

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion, in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.” Psalm 62

In 1777, Dr. William Dodd, a London clergyman, was condemned to be hanged for forgery. When his last sermon, delivered in prison, was published, a friend commented to Samuel Johnson that the effort was far better than he had thought the man capable of. Dr. Johnson replied, “Depend upon it, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”

The difficulty with reading and looking for some comfort in Psalm 62 perhaps is this: very few of us have ever been in the desperate straits that the Psalmist was in and so we cannot truly relate to what he says here. “How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you…” It appears many were threatening his life and scheming to kill him. The main theme of the psalm is the right and wrong objects of faith. If we trust in G-d, we will not allow anything to deter our hope. If we trust in men or in things of this earth, we’re depending on that which is just a breath. “On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.” This is a statement of faith we can all find comfort and rest.

PRAYER

God of steadfast love, in a constantly changing world we look to you as our rock of hope. Hear us as we pour out our hearts to you, and give us your grace and protection; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.