359. Thursday after Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.
Psalm 103, 1-5. A Psalm of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
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When you awake in the morning let your first thought be that the Lord is good; and let the first impulse of your soul be to give him thanks. During the day, when you work or rest; in the evening, when you seek your repose; in the watches of the night, give thanks to the Lord. Ye Christians old and young; how is it with your Christianity? How will you be able to join in the anthem of praise sung by the saints before the throne, if you here have dissatisfied minds, or are at least slow to praise the Lord? It is well that you know and regret your sin; nay, this is an unavoidable necessity. It is well that you are tried in diverse temptations; for this is the lot of the saints on earth; they must carry the cross, and feel its weight. But it is not well that sorrow is victorious, and the tongue of praise is silent. He that humbles himself receives mercy. The Lord chastens, but comforts also. The needy and meek shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. There is an immeasurable difference between the soul whose keynote is a wail of complaint and the soul in whose cry of distress is resignation, victory, and hope. Why is your life so poor in songs of praise and joy? Because your penitence is so shallow. You bewail your condition; but your wailing is a complaint against God, and an accusation against the church or the brethren; and there is in it little or nothing of true humility. What is it makes it possible for David to sing such grand songs of praise? It is the deep penitence of his heart. Why does his cry of distress end in thanksgiving and praise? Because even his songs of mourning celebrate the righteousness of God. Humble yourself, and believe the mercy of God; humble yourself, I beg, and believe his words of mercy; then shall goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life; and how can you, then, fail to give thanks? Be simple and honest before the Lord; be one of those of whom David speaks in Psalm 89, 15-18, where he says: “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength; and in thy favor our horn shall be exalted. For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.” Blessed is he whose heart is full of harpstrings, giving a beautiful sound in praise of the Lord. You may be thus blessed, dear reader; for he forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases; redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Shall not all that is within you bless his name?
Lord God, I confess my sin, my odious ingratitude; and I earnestly beseech thee, give me grace to humble myself and to believe. Give me victory over the pride and unbelief of my wicked heart. Give me this great mercy, that I may praise thee all my life; that of my whole heart I may thank thee and praise thee for all things. Amen.*
O Father ever glorious,
O everlasting Son,
O Spirit all victorious,
Thrice Holy Three in One,
Great God of our salvation,
Whom earth and heaven adore,
Praise, glory, adoration,
Be thine forevermore.
Amen.
[suggested tune: Jeg vil mig Herren love (TLH 655, ELH 178); listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.