The Daily Office for September 1, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
Psalm 117 is a call for universal praise to the Lord, whose truth endures forever. This is the shortest psalm in the Psalter; it has only seventeen words in the Hebrew, sixteen if the final Hallelujah is regarded as one. Though brief, many believe it is a prophecy concerning Christ and anticipates the day when all people, out of all kingdoms, will know Him in His kingdom. Also, in anciet Israel it was the equivalent of the doxology in the Christian Church today.
As believers we see here the essence of the Gospel, that it brings everlasting life and consolation to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike. God has kept His covenant with Abraham that through him should all nations of the earth be blessed. When the psalmist considers the great mercy, kindness, and truth of Jehovah, there is no better expression of his amazement at the love of God than to sing His praises. The same holds true for us today.
Collect for the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than either we desire or deserve: pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of 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.