Yesterday was a rough day visiting my husband in memory care so today I am going to turn to a psalm, the psalm for this Sunday. Sermons often focus on the Gospel text, the words of Jesus, and the psalm that is read, often responsively involving the congregation, before the Gospel is our way of preparing our hearts for what Jesus is going to say. This Sunday we ponder Jesus saying we are “the salt of the earth,” “the light of the world.”
Psalm 112 is a companion psalm that follows Psalm 111, both being Wisdom psalms. Both are acrostis built on the Hebrew alphabet and both have strong similarities. Both open with, “Praise the Lord” or “hallelujah!” Psalm 111 focuses on the works of God that we see around us and 112 focuses on the word of God that works within us producing a righteous life that becomes salt and light to our world. The psalmist ends with the demise of the wicked, those who do not “cherish God’s commandments.” Let’s just soak in the promises this morning. May it be so Lord!
1Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lord
and have great delight in God’s commandments!
2Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches will be in their house,
and their righteousness will last forever.
4Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
5It is good for them to be generous in lending
and to manage their affairs with justice.
6For they will never be shaken;
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7They will not be afraid of any evil rumors;
their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8Their heart is established and will not shrink,
until they see their desire upon their enemies.
9They have given freely to the poor, and their righteousness stands fast forever; they will hold up their head with honor.
10The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away;
the desires of the wicked will perish.
On the Way to Wonder 