Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Ps) August 10th

Psalm 28:1-9

¹  To you, O Lord, I call;

my rock, be not deaf to me,

       lest, if you be silent to me,

I become like those who go down to the pit.

²    Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,

when I cry to you for help,

       when I lift up my hands

toward your most holy sanctuary.

³    Do not drag me off with the wicked,

with the workers of evil,

       who speak peace with their neighbors

while evil is in their hearts.

⁴    Give to them according to their work

and according to the evil of their deeds;

       give to them according to the work of their hands;

render them their due reward.

⁵    Because they do not regard the works of the Lord

or the work of his hands,

       he will tear them down and build them up no more.

⁶    Blessed be the Lord!

For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

⁷    The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

       my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

⁸    The Lord is the strength of his people;

he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

⁹    Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!

Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

What then does God say about all these commandments? Answer:

God says the following: “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. Against those who hate me I visit the sin of the fathers on the children up to the third and fourth generation. But I do good to those who love me and keep my commandments to the thousandth generation.”

What is this? Answer:

God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore we are to fear his wrath and not disobey these commandments. However, God promises grace and every good thing to all those who keep these commandments. Therefore we also are to love and trust him and gladly act according to his commands.

O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your final judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.