Psalm 105
1 O give thanks to God, call on God’s name,
Make known God’s deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to God, sing praises to God;
Tell of all God’s wonderful works.
3 Glory to God’s holy name;
Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice.
4 Seek God and God’s strength;
Seek God’s presence continually.
5 Remember the wonderful works God has done,
the miracles, and the judgments God uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham and Sarah, God’s servants,
children of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah, God’s chosen ones.
This psalm of God’s faithfulness to Israel begins with 15 verses so uplifting they, along with verses from Psalm 96 and 106, are quoted in the account of the ark of the covenant being brought into Jerusalem under David’s direction. (1st Chronicles 16:8-22). The more I read theses verses in preparing this reflection, the more uplifted I feel. Does that suggest that I might more regularly spend time reading the scriptures? No doubt there are good reasons some faith traditions include a psalm in weekly worship. In addition to giving thanks and praise for all that God has done and is doing, is any other response needed? In a commentary on this psalm I read, “Note that God’s grace called for the people’s responsibility as well as their praise…It involves both privilege and responsibility.” “Privilege and responsibility.”
That’s something to think about. What are the responsibilities that challenge us? I’m frequently aware that I do better in giving thanks to God in public worship than I do in letting persons I meet outside church know how great God is God’s grace and mercy. Others may be good at telling friends, family and co-workers what wonders God has done, but find it hard to join with brothers and sisters in regular worship. Why is regularly telling about God so hard for some? Why is being in worship regularly so hard for others? Could we benefit by sharing these difficulties and supporting each other? At least for me some help is also in verse 4. How do we seek God, God’s strength, and God’s presence continually? We’re advised that those words and phrases mean pray. That’s certainly another good reminder from this psalm.
Looking for variation in translations I found that Today’s English Version verse 3a really touched me. It reads “Be glad that we belong to God.” I have no idea why that is so different from the translation above, but I like the TEV so much I had to include it and how I respond to it. It doesn’t say that I belong to God, but that we do. The versions are similar in 3b. When I recognize that we all belong to God, I rejoice and want to encourage others to do the same.
Nancy Sales
