Behold, I make all things new!

Psalm 113

 ¹Praise the LORD!
 Praise, O servants of the LORD;
 praise the name of the LORD.
 ²Blessed be the name of the LORD
 from this time on and forevermore.
 ³From the rising of the sun to its setting
 the name of the LORD is to be praised.
 ⁴The LORD is high above all nations,
 and his glory above the heavens.
 ⁵Who is like the LORD our God,
 who is seated on high,
 ⁶who looks far down
 on the heavens and the earth?
 ⁷He raises the poor from the dust,
 and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
 ⁸to make them sit with princes,
 with the princes of his people.
 ⁹He gives the barren woman a home,
 making her the joyous mother of children.
 Praise the LORD!

A Psalm for Everyone

This psalm has a word for everyone. For those experiencing the fullness of God’s goodness, this psalm connects them with others experiencing the same. By reading this psalm, we know we are not alone in our delight. God has touched many people, and through the psalm people can rejoice and praise God together. For those who are struggling, this psalm reminds them that God has not abandoned them but embraced them. It’s a promise that God can and does lift up the struggling.

Who God is, the Psalmist declares, is made known in what God does. God is the one who does wonderful things on behalf of the poor and needy. God is the one who meets us, not where we should be, but where we are, shining light in the dark places of our lives. God is the one who comes to us as a child reminding us that the God we praise is the one who looks down, reaches down, and raises up.

Prepare our hearts, gracious God, for the newness that is coming into the world. Teach us to praise you for your goodness, and to give thanks for your mercy to the poor and lowly made known to us through our coming Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Rev. Jeff Hackler – Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage