How are we to worship? What is it that God expects us to do to show that we do worship? Where does worship happen? What is the necessary cost? Am I doing it right?
The psalm says, "Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Brunt offering and sin offering you have not required." Focus first on what is not necessary--offerings; then, pay attention to what we have been given--that open ear.
That ear is open to what has been written in the Torah. More than listening, the psalmist attests that what has been written in a scroll has become a law within his heart.
James Newsome in Texts for Preaching, A Lectionary Commentary based on the NRSV-Year A, discusses how this psalm is related to this week's lectionary readings, including these comments specifically about the gospel lection:
John's recognition of Jesus following the baptism results in John's acknowledgment of who he himself is and of who Jesus is. Our experience of the redemptive presence of God has similar results. We affirm our history as the redeemed ones and pledge our continuing intention to speak and live in the light of our redemption. This Psalm lection is the song that celebrates both our affirmation and our pledge.
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