Psalm 24 Do we give thanks for the blessings of our lives?

 Day 24, Psalm 24

On this planet, we have been given tremendous responsibility.  All that seems to be ours is temporary.  All our power and control is for just a moment.  The Earth is the Lord’s!  In western societies, independence is prized.  We imagine we do everything on our own.  We forget that so many others (and the Divine) have brought us where we are.  We stand on the shoulders of giants–whether in science, math, technology, literature, and in all the humanities.  We learn from all who came before us.

Do we give thanks for the blessings of our lives?  Do we acknowledge the communities that support us?  Do we see those who helped us achieve what we have achieved?

Psalm 23-What does it mean to be in the presence of the Divine?

 

Day 23, Psalm 23

This psalm is one that so many find comforting.  Today one’s rod or staff might be your cell phone and car keys.  If you leave them on the table, you are not travelling far.  So if God has left God’s ID with you, God is nearby and present.  This psalm is a vision of an imminent and present Divine.  In this space, we pray to be in the home and presence of the Divine.

What does it mean to dwell in the House of God?  The Kotzker Rebbe said that God can be found wherever we let God in.  How do YOU let God in to your life?

Psalm 22: How do we find hope when we are brokenhearted?

Day 22, Psalm 22

This psalm once again goes from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs.  It speaks of feeling lower than the worm squirming in the dirt AND also seems to speak of the possibilities of messianic redemption.  It speaks of those murmuring against the author AND praise of God from the entire world.  When we are in our lowest moments sometimes we cannot begin to imagine that life can improve; we may feel stuck and depressed.  Other times we can see that there is dawn after the darkest night.  This psalm says we are supported and blessed from even before our birth.  We have worth no matter what.

How can we find hope when we are brokenhearted? How can we create the world we wish to live in?

 

Psalm 21: Strength, power and judgement

 

Day 21, Psalm 21

Here we read of the strength, power and might of our Creator.  Within all of us is strength.  Do we give thanks for that blessing? Do we use that strength for good?  This Psalm has great confidence in the Divine.  Today we know so much more about the order and structure of the universe. For some, this erases the need for the Divine.  For others, it is a testament to the might and power of God.  Where is your faith?

What do we need to see our own strength?  How do we ensure that our strength does not overwhelm our judgement?

Psalm 20: What do you need to hear today?

 Day 20, Psalm 20

Another prayer is found today. “O ETERNAL One, grant victory to the king; may [God] answer us when we call.”  In my life, there are many moments when the content of my prayer is far less important than the desire for connection itself.  I pray not only the worlds, but to be reminded that I am not alone in this world.  Opening my heart, I find possibility.

What do you need to hear today?

Psalm 19: Opening our Hearts and praying to pray

 Day 19, Psalm 19

This psalm ends with one of my favorite prayers: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, O Eternal One, My rock and my redeemer.”  It is a prayer for the ability to pray.  It seems counter-intuitive, but sometimes we need a little extra help.  Our minds and tongues are not always focused, our hearts can be confused.  Using our perfect Torah, the teachings of our Creator, living the laws and customs, we can find access points we didn’t previously notice.  

What do we need to open our hearts today?

Psalm 18: What are you grateful for?

 Day 18, Psalm 18

You can feel the adrenaline in this psalm. (It’s also a very long one!) The warrior king, David, has triumphed and reached his throne.  After the emotional surge of battle, he is alive and on top.  Reaching a goal can be overwhelming.  How do we give thanks?  When we have needs, we remember to ask for them, but when we are satisfied do we acknowledge?

What blessings are you grateful for today?