When in Fierce Anger I Rise Up--July 18, 2019

[From July 20, 2017 archive]

When in fierce anger I rise up

against any who have disgraced me,

or who have threatened the ones I love,

protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

When I see some make crooked

the straight paths you have taught me,

and am grieved at their hardness of heart,

protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

When my anger knows no bounds,

when my wrath is misguided,

when I am my own enemy,

protect me, O God,

from myself.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 97; 147:12-20; 16; 62

1 Sam. 20:24-42

Acts 13:1-12

Mark 2:23-3:6

Selected Verses

Ps. 16:1

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

1 Sam. 20:34

Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food on the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, and because his father had disgraced him.

Acts 13:9-10

But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at [Elymas] and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?  …"

Mark 3:5

[Jesus] looked around at [those watching to see whether he would cure on the sabbath] with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”  He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.