Psalm 9
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This psalm, together with next week’s Psalm 10, forms an acrostic: the first word of each stanza begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This literary style provides a thread of unity in the absence of a more developed sequence of thought. Some early Bibles counted these two psalms as one.
When taken individually, each letter of an alphabet stands on its own. Do the same with each group of verses that make a stanza or strophe. Imagine each one printed or engraved upon your soul. The psalms are prayers of strong expression.
From the deep, inward experience of David and other psalmists, let each stanza make a powerful impression. You might engrave and shape every hour of your day by each one.
Bible Breaths
I thank You with my whole heart. v. 1
Singing praise to the Most High v. 2
You a stronghold in distress v. 9
Lord, You are gracious to me. v. 13
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for the version for children and families.
This is the Fourth Week in Epiphany, Year A.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Wednesdays are dedicated to the Psalms,
one each week over the three-year cycle.
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The Bible Through the Seasons 
There were some errors in the Bible Breaths for today. They are revised in the post above.
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Which is it:
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9
or
Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1
The contradiction is like the “already” and the “not yet” of the Kingdom.
How is it with you and this tension?
Source: Commentary of J McClinton McCann, Jr. in the volume on the Psalms in the New Interpreter’s Bible.
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It’s the already! I am comforted knowing that whatever happens, I am never alone. God remains faithful. However, depending on what kind of day you might be having, we can get stuck in a “woe is me” mindset, and feel abandoned and blinded to God’s presence.
I feel having a daily discipline of bible reading and bible breathing helps keep the cup always “half full”….actually my “cup runneth over” with God’s blessings!
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