The Fourth Sunday in Lent (Ps) March 30th

Psalm 55:16-23

¹⁶    But I call to God,

and the Lord will save me.

¹⁷    Evening and morning and at noon

I utter my complaint and moan,

and he hears my voice.

¹⁸    He redeems my soul in safety

from the battle that I wage,

for many are arrayed against me.

¹⁹    God will give ear and humble them,

he who is enthroned from of old, Selah

       because they do not change

and do not fear God.

²⁰    My companion stretched out his hand against his friends;

he violated his covenant.

²¹    His speech was smooth as butter,

yet war was in his heart;

       his words were softer than oil,

yet they were drawn swords.

²²    Cast your burden on the Lord,

and he will sustain you;

       he will never permit

the righteous to be moved.

²³    But you, O God, will cast them down

into the pit of destruction;

       men of blood and treachery

shall not live out half their days.

       But I will trust in you.

The Conclusion

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.*[1] Amen.

What does this mean?

This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen, means, "yes, yes, it shall be so."

Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your Apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will.  Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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[1] These words were not originally in Luther's Small Catechism