Memories flooded my mind as I began preparations for this Monday Psalm. Rather than going to an electronic version of the bible as has been my primary practice for much of the last 10 years, I pulled out a copy given to me by a former pastor nearly 40 years ago – a pastor who mentored me in my teens, counseled Karen and me as we contemplated marriage, eventually conducted our wedding, was there to break the news to me of the loss of my dad, cared for me like a son after that loss, sat with me in the hospital on Christmas day as Karen underwent emergency surgery, and patiently guided me through the field dressing of my first deer harvest. It wasn’t long after picking up my old bible that I called him this week. As usual, the call ended with him telling me he loved me.
More memories came as I began to read Psalm 9. Over the years, I have underlined and starred passages in that 40-year-old bible that seemed to cry out to me in special ways. I first underlined verse 1 which reads, “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.” It too, reminded me of my pastor who introduced Karen and me to what 40 years ago was contemporary Christian music and the lyrics of Praise the Lord by the Imperials. I believe every time I’ve read this verse, those lyrics come to mind. Following are a few lines from the song that I heartily recommend you check out someday.
When you're up against a struggle that shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan's manifested schemes
And you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fears
Don't let the faith you're standing in seem to disappear
Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him
At some point over the years, I also underlined verses 9 and 10, starring the last line of verse 10. As you read these verses, I think you’ll understand why I noted them. God’s word speaks for itself.
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
As I reread Psalm 9 this week, I felt moved to underline another verse. In times like these when our hope is being challenged, I needed God’s reminder in verse 18.
18 But the needy will not always be forgotten,
Nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.
May your week be full of praise for the Lord and steeped in a holy confidence that He will never forsake or forget you!
—Lynn Pace