Speak Lord: that we may give you praise

The Responsorial Psalm on Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Easter, puts a song of praise on our lips. Praise is what we sing of, and praise is what we do.

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.
or
Alleluia!

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.
They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.
May their hearts live for ever and ever!

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.
or
Alleluia!

All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,
all families of the nations worship before him;
They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.
or
Alleluia!

And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him.
They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,
declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn:
‘These things the Lord has done.’

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.
or
Alleluia!

Psalm 21:26-28,30-32

What we praise God for in the psalm, is that God is God, not just God for us. We pray in words that alert us afresh to the generosity and mercy of God for all, always.

The evident meaning of ‘great assembly’ in the psalm is the liturgical assembly, be that in Temple, synagogue or Church. However, perhaps the still greater assembly is that of all of God’s children, even those who have never yet known the wonder and glory of God.

• Where do we see the goodness of God to ourselves?
• Where do we see his goodness for others?
• How might we share his goodness to us with others?

Photograph is of the great West Door of St German’s Priory, Cornwall. The door defines the threshold that we cross to receive great blessings, and cross again with great blessings to share. (c) 2004, Allen Morris.