A Morning Reflection From The Morning Office: Psalm 35

O Lord, in your light we see light itself

Psalm 35

O Lord, in your light we see light itself.

Sin speaks to the sinner

in the depths of his heart.

There is no fear of God

before his eyes.

He so flatters himself in his mind

that he knows not his guilt.

In his mouth are mischief and deceit.

All wisdom is gone.

He plots the defeat of goodness

as he lies on his bed.

He has set his foot on evil ways,

he clings to what is evil.

Your love, Lord, reaches to heaven;

your truth to the skies.

Your justice is like God’s mountain,

your judgements like the deep.

To both man and beast you give protection.

O Lord, how precious is your love.

My God, the sons of men

find refuge in the shelter of your wings.

They feast on the riches of your house;

they drink from the stream of your delight.

In you is the source of life

and in your light we see light.

Keep on loving those who know you,

doing justice for upright hearts.

Let the foot of the proud not crush me

nor the hand of the wicked cast me out.

See how the evil-doers fall!

Flung down, they shall never arise.

A Reflection on Psalm 35

O Lord, in your light we see light itself.

O Lord, in Your light we see light itself. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed by the darkness around me, by the actions and words of those who do not know You.

My Prayer to you O Lord: Heavenly Father, in the midst of life's challenges, remind me that Your light is the source of all truth and understanding. Guide me to see the world through Your eyes.

I read about how sin speaks to the sinner, how it can blind and deceive. Sometimes, I see this in myself and in others, this lack of fear of You, Lord.

My Prayer to you O Lord: Almighty God, grant me the wisdom to recognize my own faults and the humility to seek Your forgiveness. Help me to not be swayed by my own self-flattery or the deceit around me.

I am struck by the contrast in this Psalm, how it shifts from the nature of sin to Your incredible love and justice.

My Prayer to you O Lord: Lord, Your love and justice are incomprehensible in their depth and reach. You provide protection and refuge to all Your creation. Teach me to always find solace in Your loving embrace.

In you is the source of life and in your light we see light." This line, Lord, it gives me so much hope and comfort.

My Prayer to you O Lord: O Source of Life, continue to nourish my soul with Your wisdom and love. May I always walk in Your light and reflect it in my life.

I worry sometimes about the pride and wickedness in the world, and even in myself. How it might overwhelm or lead me astray.

My Prayer to you O Lord: Protect me, Lord, from the influence of pride and wickedness. Do not let the feet of the proud crush me or the hands of the wicked cast me out. Strengthen my heart to remain upright and true to You.

And yet, this Psalm ends with hope, that evil will not triumph.

My Prayer to you O Lord: Faithful Father, reassure me with Your promise that evil will not have the last word. In Your justice, let me see the eventual fall of wrongdoing and the triumph of Your goodness. In Your light, I seek to understand and live. Amen.

Let Us Pray

Gracious and Almighty God, in the quiet of this moment, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the light of Your wisdom and the warmth of Your love. As we reflect upon the words of the Psalm, we are humbled by the depth of our own frailties and uplifted by the boundless reach of Your grace.

Lord, You are the Source of all life, in Your light we see the truest light. Guide us away from the shadows of self-deception and sin, and lead us into the clarity of Your truth. May we always be mindful of Your presence in our lives, recognizing our need for Your guidance and forgiveness.

In Your mercy, protect us from the pride and wickedness that lurk in and around us. Shield our hearts from the temptations that seek to lead us astray. Help us to cling to what is good, to walk in the paths of righteousness, and to find refuge under the shelter of Your wings.

As we go forth from this time of reflection, may our lives be a testament to Your enduring love and justice. Grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith, the wisdom to discern Your will, and the strength to act with compassion and integrity.

We pray for all those who are lost in the darkness, that they too may come to see Your light and find hope in Your salvation. May Your love and truth continue to reach to the heavens, touching the hearts of all Your children.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.

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