To Tame the Tongue--Sept. 1, 2021

[From Sept. 4, 2013 archive]

 

The trees of the forest sing for joy; 

even the fields exult, and everything in them. 

 

We ourselves have heard of all you have done, O God; 

but until we saw for ourselves, we did not believe the reports. 

 

Now at last we see and understand and bless your name; 

yet with the very same tongue we use to bless you

we curse those you have made in your likeness. 

 

No one can tame the tongue, a restless evil; 

no one, that is, except the One who 

kept silent, amazing Pilate.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 96; 147:1-11; 132; 134

1 Kings 9:24-10:13

James 3:1-12

Mark 15:1-11

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 96:12 

            …let the field exult, and everything in it. 

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy…  

 

1 Kings 10:6-7a 

So [the queen of Sheba] said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. …” 

 

James 3:8 

…but no one can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 

 

Mark 15:5 

But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.