Reflection on Psalm 143, a psalm of David

Psalm 143:6: “I stretch out my hands to you;

my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.”

This land is dry deep, deep below the surface.

A flash flood will not suffice,

will not quench my soul, O Lord.

May your rains pour down into my soul,

deep, deep, down into the in-most place that I may be filled with your living water,

that I may become a spring that testifies to your provision from the Heavens

by the pools that grow and gather on my once unforgiven and unforgiving surface,

now a nourished and nourishing muddy earth

because this soul cannot contain the grace you’ve poured down generously.

In the midst of the desert that life can sometimes be,

may I sing and dance and testify from the mountain tops

that all “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,”*

exuding from my being comes, unfailingly, from You.

So I cry out! Because this land is dry, is sick, is worn, weary, weak on its own, hope choked by weeds of lies sown in its depths, found Truth and rejoices in your promise of redemption, peace, and rest!

Psalm 143:8-12: “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!

I have fled to you for refuge.

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!

In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,

and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,

for I am your servant.”

*Galatians 5:22-23

 

 

Copyright © 2018 A.M. Wilsonne