The Daily Office for August 23, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 135
Judges 1:1-22
Acts 8:26-40
John 6:16-27
Reading (Psalm 130)
Reflection
Psalm 135 is a composite psalm calling for praise unto Jehovah. At once the reader is struck with the fact that this psalm is a mosaic, the psalmist quoting from existing psalms and other biblical sources. That the psalmist selects portions of previous compositions that were inspired of God does not in any way lessen the inspiration of this psalm.
Further, this is a Hallelujah psalm that remains untitled in the original text. Its composition has been ascribed to various periods of history, from Hezekiah to the days after the Exile. The psalm has an apparent antiphonal arrangement and is therefore generally assumed to have been composed for Temple worship. Whenever it was written, Psalm 135 affirms that in the minds of the Israelites the foremost reason for praising Jehovah was the election of the Jewish people as the chosen nation of God. Today, Christan believers can take comfort in this assurance that we are a treasure with both tremendous rights and awesome responsibilities.
Collect for the Day
O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.