“Dependability you can count on”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Monday, May 5, 2025

Psalm 9 (Forward p. 7) CEV p. 559

Here, in today’s psalm, King David waxes eloquent on the dependability of Almighty God. He speaks of the wonders that God has worked on several levels:

Firstly, with regards to his enemies:

“When my enemies face you, they run away, stumble and are

destroyed” (verse 3).

“You warn the nations and destroy evil people; you wipe out their

names forever and ever” (verse 5).

“Our enemies are destroyed completely for all time. Their cities are

torn down, and they will never be remembered again” (verse 6).

“Our Lord, the nations tell into their own pits, and their feet were

caught in their own traps” (verse 15).

“The wicked will go down to the world of the dead to be with those

nations that forgot about you” (verse 17).

Interestingly, this is yoked together with a concern for justice:

“You take your seat as judge, and your fair decisions prove that I was

In the right” (verse 4).

“You rule forever, Lord, and you are on your throne, ready for

judgment. You judge the world fairly and treat all nations with

justice.” (verses 7-8).

“You showed what you are like, and you made sure that justice is

done, but evil people are trapped by their own evil deeds” (verse 16).

And, not only that, God’s care for the poor and homeless shows up prominently here:

“The poor can run to you because you are a fortress in times of

trouble. Everyone who honours your name can trust you, because

you are faithful to all who depend on you” (verses 9-10).

“The poor and the homeless won’t always be forgotten and without

hope” (verse 18).

There is one verse that especially stands out for me, namely verse 20: “Make the nations afraid and let them all discover just how weak they are”. With all the sabre rattling and military posturing these days, this is a reassuring thought.

Anyway, with all this, just how much can we take as necessarily applying to us here and now? I don’t think that we can see the militaristic images as applying, for instance. It is unlikely that their cities and their names will disappear into oblivion. However, I do think that God can be counted upon to mete out justice wherever it is needed and to protect the poor, the homeless and the innocent. Indeed, as our psalmist alleges throughout there is a dependability with God that we can certainly count on.

Forward notes: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing to your name, O Most High” (verses 1-2).

“Over the last few months, I have had the privilege of watching a group of children embrace prayer through song. The parish I serve has a relatively new chorister program. The choristers gather each week to learn, sing, pray, and have fun.

“Once a month, they lead a congregation in Evensong—sung Evening Prayer. The choristers are given the opportunity to be authentically childlike as they learn to lead worship for the people of God. The liturgy is

not as solemn as others I have experienced. But the children lead us in prayer steeped in both an emerging reverence and overflowing joy. In each of these liturgies, I have been taught anew about bringing my whole self to worship the Lord with songs of joy and gladness.”

Moving Forward: “Do you bring your whole self to worship? What can you do to engage in worship with songs of joy and gladness in your heart and on your lips?”