I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

Relieve the Troubles of My Heart--Dec. 21, 2014


You are good and upright, O God;
you instruct sinners in the way.

I am a sinner and do not measure
up to your measuring rod of gold.

Relieve the troubles of my heart
and bring me out of my distress.

When I err in spirit, grant me understanding;
when I grumble, help me accept instruction.
With you, Lord, nothing will be impossible.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 24; 150; 25; 110
Isa. 29:9-24
Rev. 21:9-21
Luke 1:26-38

Selected Verses
Ps. 25:8, 17
Good and upright is the LORD;
          therefore he instructs sinners in the way.  …
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
          and bring me out of my distress. 

Isa. 29:24
And those who err in spirit will come to understanding,
          and those who grumble will accept instruction.

Rev. 21:15
The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 

Luke 1:37
"…For nothing will be impossible with God."  [The angel Gabriel to Mary]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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