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.


Return, O My Soul, to Your Rest--July 28, 2011

O God, you have dealt bountifully with us;
when we have been brought low, you have saved us.

When evil things have come into our hearts
and we have been defiled by them;

when our courage has failed,
when everyone has been dismayed;

you have sent brothers and sisters
to visit and encourage us.

You protect the simple.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116
2 Sam. 4:1-12
Acts 16:25-40
Mark 7:1-23

Selected Verses
Ps. 116:6-7
The LORD protects the simple;
      when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest,
      for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

2 Sam. 4:1-12
When Saul’s son Ishbaal heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.

Acts 16:40
After leaving the prison [Paul and Silas] went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.

Mark 7:23
“…All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” [Jesus to his disciples]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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