Musings and Contemplations

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: O come, let us adore him.[1]

A Song of Ascents

Psalm 128 NRSV
Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

Matthew Henry
Only those who are truly holy are truly happy. In vain do we pretend to be of those that fear God, if we do not make conscience of keeping steadfastly to his ways. Blessed is everyone that fears the Lord, whether he be high or low, rich or poor in the world. If thou fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou diest, best of all in eternity. . . Such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, are the only happy persons, whatever their station in life may be. They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for. A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children’s children, unless he sees peace upon Israel. Every true believer rejoices in the prosperity of the church. Hereafter we shall see greater things, with the everlasting peace and rest that remain for the Israel of God. ^[2]

A Kingdom Catechism Question #19[3]
What is the promise of the Law of God?
The promise of the Law of God is that all who walk in obedience to it will know life, peace, joy, and hope, and will rejoice in and manifest the glory of God.

A Kingdom Catechism Question #25[4]
How does the example of believers benefit nonbelievers?
Believers who sanctify Christ as Lord and walk according to His Law, express God’s love, demonstrate hope, and work for justice and righteousness in the world, and thus become a blessing to all nations.

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[5]

Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart

[1] Antiphon for Lent, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 30.
^[2] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Ps 128:1.
[3] T. M. Moore, A Kingdom Catechism, 2022, p. 26.
[4] T. M. Moore, A Kingdom Catechism, 2022, p. 29.
[5] Prayer for the second Sunday in Lent, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 605.