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.

You Cheer Our Souls--Dec. 22, 2021


Mighty God, holy is your name.

You are our stronghold, 

the rock of our refuge.

Show us the river of the water of life.

 

When the cares of our hearts are many

forbid that we should rely

on armies and armaments 

but not look to you, O Holy One.

 

You do great things; 

your consolations 

cheer our souls.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 33; 146; 85; 94

Isa. 31:1-9

Rev. 21:22-22:5

Luke 1:39-56

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 94:19, 22

When the cares of my heart are many,

          your consolations cheer my soul.

But the LORD has become my stronghold,

          and my God the rock of my refuge.

 

Isa. 31:1

Alas for those who go down to Egypt for help
          and who rely on horses,
who trust in chariots because they are many
          and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
          or consult the LORD!

 

Rev. 22:1

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… 

 

Luke 1:49

“…for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
          and holy is his name.  …” [From the song of Mary]


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