Psalm 139

Today’s reading may be familiar to you, Psalm 139 from the Hebrew Bible. What may not be familiar is hearing the Psalm in its entirety. There is a harsh confession toward the end that is often left out when it is read in community. However, I believe it speaks of relationship between the psalmist and God. After a prayer of praise for God’s inescapable presence and intimate knowing, the psalmist has the confidence to confess feelings we often don’t want to give voice to. But in relationship, those feelings can be released for God to handle according to God’s judgement and mercy, which is not like our own. Then experiencing freedom for the closing request, the pray-er asks for their own offenses to be addressed - trusting, also, to be the beneficiary of God’s judgement and mercy.

Listen for what the Word has to share with you today . . .