The Daily Office for August 24, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 143
Job 2:1-13
Acts 9:1-9
John 6:27-40
Reading (Psalm 130)
Reflection
Psalm 143 is both a complaint and a prayer to God. Various versions refer to the rebellion of Absalom as the motivation for its writing. Some scholars, though, feel that the psalm itself is a composite largely taken from previous Davidic Psalms, and therefore, they ascribe Psalm 143 to a post-exilic poet. But before we conclude that David did not pen this psalm, we must ask why he could not have similar thoughts while under distress to those that he had previously penned in similar situations. Many commentators are too quick to view those psalms toward the end of the Psalter as non-Davidic, and there is no good basis for claiming that this psalm is a late compilation of Davidic thoughts, rather than a psalm of David himself.
Regardless, this prayer is raised by holy hands to God for (1) righteousness’ sake and (2) because the writer is God's servant. The servant of God was entitled to the protection of his master. Being the servant of God, therefore, is an elevated and glorious position.
Collect for the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your word: grant that your Church may love that word which he believed and may faithfully preach and receive the same; 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.