August 10 — Psalm 101

“I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing. I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, so that they may live with me; whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall remain in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of the LORD.”

“I will walk with integrity of heart within my house””

The writer of Psalm 101 is trying to say something about leadership — especially about how those in power should carry themselves with integrity. Of course we would assume that this Psalm is considering a leader who has both a religious expectation and a secular responsibility as well. This is not so the case in our country today. And yet, why shouldn’t we strive to elect leaders who demonstrate an integrity that has both a thirst for law and order and a theological morality.

In other words, Psalm 101 teaches that it is not enough for those who lead to live by the legalities and govern by codes. It is the character of the leader, and the character of those in their administration that really determine what the effect of their governing is on the governed.

For example, the Psalmist says: “No one who practices deceit shall remain in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence.” Shouldn’t the people who elect individuals to office have, at the least of their expectations, the hope that their leaders tell the truth and are willing to admit to their mistakes. How refreshing it would be to hear someone in office say they made a mistake and hope to do better in the future — and then not have to endure the ridicule of the populous who wish to hide their own mistakes and lies while finding such joy in their hypocritical accusations. But, our political climate forces the hands of anyone who hopes to be honest, by reinforcing the idea that “honesty will not get you re-elected.”

Ultimately, Psalm 101 teaches that conduct depends on character and character is shaped by “ultimate” concerns. In other words, “you cannot be good without G-d” — a message that 21st century America needs to hear more and more.

Let us pray:

God of truth, you call us to walk with integrity of heart. Turn us from evil and guide us in the ways of faithfulness, that we may delight in your love and justice forever; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

August 9 — Psalm 100

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

What is it that we do when we come to worship? Coming to worship involves some responsibility on our part — both before we arrive, and once we have made our presence known to G-d either in the pew or watching on our devices.

In Jerusalem, one of Herod’s palaces sat very near the Temple which contained the “Holy of Holies”. One palace was the residence of the human King; the other was where G-d resided, the divine King. The question in Israel’s history often was: whose will really rules — human or divine? In Roman times the early Christians said, “Jesus is lord,” in their worship in an empire that required people to say “Caesar is lord,” and they, in particular Jesus, paid for the choices they made.

When we come to worship, we are proclaiming our trust and obedience to a power whose will and way make a difference in our lives. As such, coming to worship is both a religious and a political statement. If those who come to worship Jesus as Lord see their presence as nothing other than the same as attending a concert, or watching a movie, then their participation in worship is not what Psalm 100 is suggesting.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the LORD is God.”

When we address G-d in worship, we trust that G-d is present — so we enter into the very presence of the LORD through song, prayer, word, and sacrament. In the view of the psalm, the LORD by his own choice comes down to us, (a very Lutheran understanding of worship) and is “there” in the most real way. The psalm testifies to the importance of “presence” for authentic and enthusiastic worship. It is the exciting anticipation of being in the presence that funds the joy of praise.

Worship allows us the opportunity to say to the world “We know the LORD as our savior. Worship then moves us into the presence of the one who is “for us” and “saves us”.

Let us pray:

Lord our God, we come before you with thanksgiving and praise, for you have created us as your people and you sustain us with your hand. Nourish us in your rich pasture and keep us in your steadfast love, that we may bless your name and serve you with gladness day after day; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.