The Daily Office for August 31, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
Today's psalm is David’s prayer to God for divine intervention and protection from the persecutions of earth. It is termed a prayer because the language of petition is predominant. David would not have been a man after God’s own heart had he not been a man of prayer. The time in David’s life to which this psalm belongs is uncertain, but it is quite likely that Saul is the leader of those who oppose him.
David knows he has lived righteously before the Lord God and his enemy has not. Therefore, he confidently cries for deliverance from those who have received all that the good earth could produce and have passed their substance on to their children totally without thankfulness to God.
Collect for the Day
Everlasting God, you sent the gentle bishop Aidan to proclaim the gospel in this land: grant us to live as he taught in simplicity, humility and love for the poor; 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.