Reflections in Christ

Psalm 81: water in the wilderness

Sing aloud to God our strength;
 shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
Raise a song, sound the timbrel, 
the sweet lyre with the harp. ...

Psalm 80

Lord, Lord, look down from heaven, and see; 

have regard for this vine which Thy right hand has planted, and establish it.

Psalm 79

Pour out Thy anger on the nations
 that do not know Thee,
 and on the kingdoms that do not call on Thy Name!
Return sevenfold…

My soul, my soul arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is approaching and you will be confounded. Awake then, and be watchful, that you may be spared by Christ God, Who is everywhere and fills all things…

Psalm 78

The Lord awoke as one asleep, and arose saving us.
He smote His enemies upon their backs, everlasting shame He gave them. ...

What do you expect will happen at Liturgy on a Sunday morning?  Why do you rouse yourself from your comfy bed, pile into the car (possibly with sleepy and unruly kids), drive to church, and stand there for an hour or so?  What do you hope to experience? ...

Psalm 77

Who is so great a god as our God? Thou art the God Who doeth wonders.

Thou hast made Thy power known among the peoples…

In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent – the day on which, at Vespers, Lent is liturgically announced and inaugurated – is called Forgiveness…

Psalm 76

Pray and make your vows before the Lord our God!
In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel!
Psalm 76:11, 1 (Sunday Prokeimenon, tone 8)

Psalm 75 (New King James Version)

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
 For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

“When I choose the proper time,
 I will judge…