I'm wondering now if that critic in the synagogue in this week's gospel lesson (Luke 13:10-17) had read this psalm recently. And I can wonder if I have read it, absorbed its message often enough myself.
The psalm begins "Bless the Lord, O my soul." The psalmist would not have been aware of our attempts to separate body and soul--the Hebrew word connotes the entire self. We might give ourselves the reminder, "Pay attention, devote your thinking and doing and feeling, recognize and be grateful to the giver of all that you have and will need."
The psalmist lists specific benefits given by the Lord: forgiveness, healing, redemption.
He needs to remember these gifts. And he needs to remember that the Lord will continue to satisfy his needs and to restore his strength.
But, it's not just about him. In verse 6, the psalmist reminds himself that the Lord is not focused on only this one individual: "The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed."
It is right for me to pray prayers of thanksgiving, and it is right for me to remember that the Lord cares for more than just me.
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