Daily Thought for Monday 24th March 2025
“And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.”
Psalm 39:7
My hope
Lisa-Jane Rankin
H’mm, I thought, try putting this psalm to music … and yet, Jeduthun did so, and his choir would sing it at the Temple. It reminds me of Depeche Mode songs from the ’80s. The psalms are funny things, but gosh, they do provide the soundtrack to our lives and the lives of believers from the time of King David. I was kindly provided with Psalm 39, thanks so much to the editor!
That said, I used to be the presbytery clerk and the first three verses resonated with me…! It’s not always easy to hold your tongue, but often it’s better to do that than start World War III no matter that you feel justified in so doing!
This is a deeply personal confession and plea from David. It explores the shortness of life, David’s sinfulness, and the understanding of God’s judgement, whilst yearning for God’s intervention and mercy.
The psalm ends with the words: “Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more.” His only connection, his only hope, is the God who hears prayers. Yet, ironically, it’s God’s gaze that’s his main issue. This psalm, unlike others, recognises the tension of God being our only hope, and yet a look from him consumes us. He knows what we think and what we do. I think it’s telling that Psalm 40 is a psalm of thanksgiving. Read both 39 and 40 together – I think they were designed that way…
The take away from this is that the psalmist says, “My hope is in you.” David understood what it was like to live fully for God. Whilst living under God’s discipline, he knew that God’s ways were better than his. What would our lives look like if we always follow this thinking …?
Shall we pray?
My hope is always in you, Amazing God. Help me to realise that. Help me to live in the light of your hope. When things are going wrong, when I have to hold my tongue, grant me patience and wisdom. Keep me on your path, so that I can help others, and show them your love, which is rich, warm and full of mercy. Amen.
Lisa-Jane Rankin is the minister of Hawick: Wilton linked with Teviothead. She is the personal servant of a small black cat called Steggles. He brings her great joy as well as reminding her that she is just a flawed human being (usually when food isn’t hitting his bowl fast enough).