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Psalm 71:22 "I will also praise thee with the harp for thy faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to thee with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel."

 

Although not attributed to a specific author, the prevailing thought is that this psalm was written by David in his old age. That makes sense in light of the reference to the harp, but also because the praise being offered is not superficial, it clearly comes after a life of struggles and consolations. In the preceding verses, the author says "Thou who hast made me see many sore troubles wilt revive me again; from the depths of the earth thou wilt bring me up again. Thou wilt increase my honor and comfort me again." (Psalm 71:20-21) This is the praise of someone who has lived through trials and hardships and learned how God stays with us through them, comforting and reviving us when the time is right. It is true praise, praise that recognizes how deep and mysterious God's love is. 

 

I have been going through some trials of my own lately and feeling like I could use some comfort. But today at Mass I thought about how there is no place in the world better to be, how the source of all consolation is right there, always available, always pouring out His love. I did not feel "all better", my struggles didn't magically disappear, but I felt God with me, I felt His presence, and remembered that He is always there. I wanted to join my voice in praise with the angels I pictured around the altar, and with the communion of saints, in giving God praise for His goodness, faithfulness, and love. Praise is the only proper response to a God who sacrificed Himself for us and comes to us every day, if we let Him, giving Himself to us in order to revive us over and over again.