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.

When Waves Beat Against my Boat--July 24, 2013


 When the waves beat against my boat,
when they threaten to swamp it

because I am disturbed
and want to avenge myself,

let me ponder it on my bed,
O God, and be silent.

Strengthen my soul, I pray,
that I may continue in the faith.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48; 4
1 Sam. 25:23-44
Acts 14:19-28
Mark 4:35-41

Selected Verses

Ps. 4:4
When you are disturbed, do not sin;
          ponder it on your beds, and be silent.  Selah

1 Sam. 25:33
"…Blessed be your good sense, and blessed be you, who have kept me today from bloodguilt and from avenging myself by my own hand!  …"  [David to Abigail]

Acts 14:22
There [Paul and his companions] strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 4:37
A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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