For as long as I can remember, my mom has told me to look at a Psalm at every important event in my life. Her method is one of non-method: simply open to approximately the center of the Bible and read the entire chapter for the first Psalm you see, then mark it so you remember why you read it. Consequently, her Bible is marked with dates next to Psalms that she read in times of pain and joy, and when approaching major decisions. Though today is no particularly special day in my life, every once in a while I will go through this “exercise” when I need a little general inspiration or guidance. This is something that I’ve carried with me though I’ve left home, and I want to share it with you.
Today, I opened to Psalm 106. Here’s a reproduction:
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“LORD, save me!”5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.8 For you, LORD, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.10 I trusted in the LORD when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”12 What shall I return to the LORD
for all his goodness to me?13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, LORD;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
I think my favorite part today can be found in verse 16: “I serve you just as my mother did.” Though it certainly means something different in this context, it’s meaningful for me because I have inherited this “practice” for my mother.
I hope this brings a little bit of praise and light to your day!
Credit to BibleGateway.com for the reproduction of Psalm 116.