Category: Psalm of the Day

Psalm of the Day

I don’t know about you, but often Sistertech is impatient. Strike that. She is usually quite impatient. Even with The One In Charge, I’m afraid. I’ve had some suggestions for cleaning up The Database (you probably know it as “The Book of Life”), but I’ve yet to hear back. Why haven’t I received some answer? Yes, no, maybe, I’m busy right now with the earthquake in Haiti — nothing.

So when I read this Psalm today I had to confess (NO! Not that kind of “confess” — you all are such literalists!) that I was jealous of the Psalmist. In the midst of The-One-In-Charge-knows-what, the guy is able to say: “I’m in a pretty bad spot here. But on your timetable, I know you’ll assist me.”

Psalm 69:13-16

13But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.
At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.
With your faithful help 14rescue me
from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
and from the deep waters.
15Do not let the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up,
or the Pit close its mouth over me.

16Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Psalm of the Day

A familiar Psalm today, Ps. 46:1-3

1God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

Sistertech enjoys learning things. It’s a key characteristic of those in our profession: technology is always changing and one must learn or be left in the dust. Well, I learned about a group of chaplains who are remembered this day: the Dorchester Chaplains. That bit above about the roaring, foaming waters will fit perfectly with those we remember today. Continue reading “Psalm of the Day”

Saint Brigid – Psalm of the Day

Ah, St. Brigid! She is quite a gal. We cannot tell you how generous she is. She’s quick witted and often slips folks a wee bit of the you know what to sip from time to time. Here is an open secret: Brigid is Sistertech’s special role model because of her generosity and service to others.

1I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2I bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
3On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.

Everliving God, we rejoice today in the fellowship of your blessed servant Brigid, and we give you thanks for her life of devoted service. Inspire us with life and light, and give us perseverance to serve you all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, world without end.

Here’s a lovely children’s book on Brigid: Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story

Psalm of the Day

Sistertech loves reading the Psalms. There always is something there to provide encouragement. The Psalm today is no exception.

1In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

Some clients are whiners. They complain about any and everything, before, during, and after our service calls. I take refuge in The One In Charge. Nothing anyone say about me can put me to shame.

2In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
3Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress,  to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm of the Day

The Psalm today tells us that it’s not just your enemies who can harm you, it can be you friends. While the Psalms do take us on a roller coaster of utter, carefree bliss, down in the dumps defeat, and everything in between. But through it all, especially when things look bleak, we find encouragement from the first two verses.

1Give ear to my prayer, O God;
do not hide yourself from my supplication.
2Attend to me, and answer me;
I am troubled in my complaint.

Continue reading “Psalm of the Day”

Psalm of the Day

Today we remember one of Sistertech’s favorite artists, the masterful Russian iconographer, Andrei Rublev (d. 1430)

You’ve probably seen this one. It’s my favorite of his icons: The Holy Trinity. It’s based on Genesis 18 and the angles who visit Abraham.

It’s not as though I need icons! I mean what’s the point of being an angel if you can’t see the real thing! But to tell you the truth, I have a lot of them around my office here. The lesser creatures have religious sticky notes scattered about; you can always tell a being by the spiritual “prompts” it has. I say, “Go for the good stuff” and get yourself a Rublev.

When Sistertech looks at these icons, sometimes she enters the scene, sometimes she contemplates the great faith of the saints depicted. The ones with The One In Charge are especially powerful reminders of the words we read today from Psalm 62.

6He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah
9Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.

Henri Nouwen and Rowan Williams – get your glasses on folks! Rowan, not Robin! – have very good books on icons. Bottom line: they’re not just for the Orthodox. Give ’em a try.


Henri Nouwen’s Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying With Icons


Rowan Williams’ Ponder These Things: Praying With Icons of the Virgin

Psalm of the Day

All the big shots, and I mean big, are running around getting their speeches and sermons ready for the conference being held today in honor of Thomas Aquinas. It’s no wonder part of Psalm 119 is being read as it really captures a lot about Tom:

99I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your decrees are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.

Continue reading “Psalm of the Day”

Psalm of the Day

Sistertech’s iPod is full of all kinds of music. After a slew of my former clients died, I found solace listening to requiems. I really had enjoyed helping them with their computer needs, and now that their souls were now experiencing immortality, those service calls were forever ended. Continue reading “Psalm of the Day”

Psalm of the Day

I’m up early today. I peeked at the Psalm last night and could hardly sleep thinking about verse 4: “They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.” I hope you all are happy today. May you conduct all your affairs with justice. No flame wars, no cutting people off in traffic. What am I saying? Riffraff like that would not be reading Sistertech’s dispatches.

1Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
2Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures for ever.
4They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
6For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered for ever.
7They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
8Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures for ever;
their horn is exalted in honour.