Lent 40 - Psalm Sunday

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Psalm 118:1-2, 9-29

Today is the final day of Lent, when we usher in Holy Week tomorrow and continue to journey together with Jesus towards the cross.

Today's Psalm is a song of praise in the midst of dark times. It reminds us to seek refuge in God when the world is in turmoil. 

I cannot think of a more appropriate time to stamp the words of this Psalm on our hearts and declare them together as God's people. 


Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.

Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.

Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the journey that You have taken me on through this Lenten season. Thank You for reminding me of Your saving works through Your Son, Christ Jesus. Even though there is much uncertainty in the world at the moment, I can stand true in Your promises for me. May I continue to seek Your goodness and be a shining light to the world, guided by Your Holy Spirit. Amen. 


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