Wait: Selah

The daily Lectionary readings for this week include sections of Psalm 77.  I have been reading this psalm during the week as a lyrical remembrance of a human-divine conversation.  So often, we wait on God for what we hope will be an “answer” to our prayers.  Although this psalm starts with petitions to God and frustrations with the wait for answers and actions, eventually the prayer turns into a remembrance of the ways in which God has been working within and around and through all God’s people.  The shift into openness to God through a time of waiting is evident even in the shift from talking to a seemingly distant God “out there” to conversation with God who embraces us in relationship.

Each Selah offers a pause; a wait that encourages us to step more deeply into meaning.

We may feel we are petitioning God and waiting for an answer that doesn’t come fast enough; we may learn that we are waiting within a shared remembrance that we…all of humanity, and as individuals…have been, are now, and will continue to be loved, held, protected, and nurtured by Divine Presence.

Today, I invite you to read this psalm as a prayer of longing, waiting, opening, and realizing…

Psalm 77

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that God may hear me.

In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

I think of God, and I moan; I meditate, and my spirit faints. Selah

You keep my eyelids from closing; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

I consider the days of old, and remember the years of long ago.

I commune with my heart in the night; I meditate and search my spirit:

“Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?

Has the steadfast love of God ceased forever? Are God’s promises at an end for all time?

Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has anger shut away compassion?” Selah

And then, I say, “It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old.

I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God?

You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples.

With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; the very deep trembled.

The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered; your arrows flashed on every side.

The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

Your way was through the sea, your path, through the mighty waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.