LIGHT
1The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
6The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
7All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
8Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
9For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Hearing the words of another praise Psalm, I am struck by the power of light; from lightning’s powerful cracks from sky to a reference to the experience of the sun at dawn. What wonder for the natural world that is in God’s control. What praise must be raised as we see another darkening sky or feel the day close, knowing that indeed, it is truly in God’s hands to care for us.
Prayer
Righteous and Creator God, we choose the power of rejoicing in the face of all that we cannot control and reminded of your faithful love. Guard and protect us when the sky alights with the cracks of lighting and the deafening rolls of thunder. In Christ’s precious name, we pray, Amen.
