Narrative Lectionary Program Year Four– John
July 4, 2021 – Psalm 150
Free Additional Resources for Study & Sermon Preparation
Furthering the Power of God’s Story – Narrative Lectionary Commentary
by Daniel D. Maurer
Before I was ordained and while I was doing CPE, I remember one day when I met with a handicapped patient in the care facility I was assigned. We talked about the day and how she had come to this particular facility. I remember feeling quite impatient. I wanted to finish my day and get home to my family.
She must have sensed it, because she began crying. I asked her what was wrong, and I she said that she was constantly sad all the time, and that nothing could cheer her up. She no longer believed in God and she stated that she felt like she had nothing left to live for.
I remember feeling helpless. I ended up getting transferred and I never saw her again.
As I’ve aged, I have had my own struggles with depression, anxiety, and difficulty just getting through the day. It’s times like these when I wonder the purpose of psalms like 150.
It seems too bubbly, too wrapped in gooey sugar-coated go-get-em-ness to really reflect how many truly struggle through life, just to make ends meet.
I think it’s easy to miss the point, though, that the psalm isn’t just about one person’s individual mood or attitude. Instead, it’s about our need to praise, even in times of sorrow.
Pastorally, I’m not suggesting that ministers should try to see a “silver lining in every cloud.” I’m only stating that the human experience isn’t complete without sorrow, nor is it without joy.
Is it possible that joy might be found in sorrow, as well?
I also think that preachers in the United States have a great connection with this week’s Narrative Lectionary text reading, because it falls on Independence Day—after all, what could be more joy-inducing and noise-making than fireworks?
Happy preaching! (Even when things are down.)
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The following links and resources are not produced or maintained by Clergy Stuff. However, at the time of this posting, the links were active and considered to be good source material for proclamation for the text for this week. Please scroll down or click on the quick jump menu you find below. For more free worship resources & planning materials, please visit our links for RCL Worship Resources.
Other Resources
Exegetical Links
"Let Everything That Breathes Praise the Lord!," Commented Bible Passages from Taize.
Commentary, Psalm 150:1-6, E. Dewey Smith, The African American Lectionary.
"Turning all into Alleluia," Samuel Wells, Faith and Leadership
Great Quotes
“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
“We, writers & poets, have a big problem. We swim too deep inside life, also in shallow waters, and then we end touching the sand!”
A Good Read
Psalms 51-150 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, OT Volume 8)
by Quentin F. Wesselschmidt (Editor)
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Video Resources
Daily Devotional Feed
Free Dramatic Reading For This Text (NRSV)
Readers: Reader 1, Reader 2
Reader 1: Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!
Reader 2: Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Reader 1: Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Reader 2: Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Reader 1: Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Reader 2: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!