While the Wicked Speak with Malice--July 6, 2015

The wicked scoff and speak with malice,

O God, setting their mouths against you,

with their tongues ranging over the earth.

Rebels against you, in stubborn patience

they wait to do evil, watch day and night

for a chance to murder your faithful ones.

Jesus showed a different way, obedience

even to death on a cross, surrender to you

in commending his spirit into your hands.

I too can be a rebel, at times scoff, even

speak with malice when my tongue runs

out of control. Make me more like Jesus.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 62; 145; 73; 9

1 Sam. 15:1-3, 7-23

Acts 9:19b-31

Luke 23:44-56a

Selected Verses

Ps. 73:8-9

[The wicked] scoff and speak with malice; 
          loftily they threaten oppression. 
They set their mouths against heaven, 
          and their tongues range over the earth.

1 Sam. 15:22b-23a

 Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice,
          and to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is no less a sin than divination,
          and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. 

Acts 9:24b-25

[The plotters] were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill [Saul]; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Luke 23:46

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”  Having said this, he breathed his last.