Daily Bread

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures for ever.
Let Israel now proclaim,
‘His mercy endures for ever.’
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Come, O Lord, and save us we pray.
Come, Lord, send us now prosperity.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God; he has given us light;
link the pilgrims with cords
right to the horns of the altar.
You are my God and I will thank you;
you are my God and I will exalt you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures for ever.

Although this Psalm is from another time and another place, it might help to read it using your imagination. Imagine being part of a great throng of pilgrims who are all chanting and singing God's praise as they walk through the large stone arched gates into the courtyard of the temple of God. This 'House of God' is a place of safety where God rules and protects, where there is joy and laughter and singing, where there is love and room for all. We delight in seeing people there from all walks of life, tears of joy streaming down their faces as they embrace one another and proclaim the goodness of God. In your inner being you have that deep sense that you have arrived and you have found your kin and your home.

Could you imagine it? Well, this is the metaphor the Psalmist is painting for how we enter into God's presence, and it is no wonder that the crowds used lines from this Psalm 118 as they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. One day, we too will be part of this eternal rejoicing crowd, but right now, we live here on earth, and do our best to bring a bit of heaven to earth in our shared community lives and in our worship.

This week, at our music practice, I felt a bit of heaven come to earth as we sang 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross'. I could feel myself welling up as I made the words of the song my own words and my own prayer to God. This hymn from Isaac Watts is to me what Psalm 118 was to those pilgrims:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all

Because we are all in different different places and from different backgrounds, we will each resonate with particular psalms or songs of praise that help us express our gratitude and praise to God. What song 'does it for you'? Perhaps, today, if you have a moment, play that song and express your thanks and praise.

Holy God
I give thanks to you for your mercy endures for ever.
I give thanks to you for you are my salvation.
Praise you, O God, for saving me,
and redeeming me through the precious blood
of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
You are my God and I will thank you.
You are my God and I will give your praise.
I give thanks to you for your are my salvation.
I give thanks to you for your mercy endures for ever.