Psalm for Sunday: Do not Fret (Psalm 37)

A responsive version of the lectionary Psalm for today which we used in worship at the Grosvenor Hall this morning, whilst reflecting on the culture of forgiveness embodied in two passages which never mention the word: the Gospel reading from Luke 6:27-36 and the Old Testament reading from Genesis 45:3-11, the story of the reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers, which also inspired this picture, which I posted as this weeekend's #ArtintheOrdinary on social media, an ivory carving for the throne of Archbishop Maximianus (c545-553) in the Archiepiscopal Museum, Ravenna.

Do not fret because of wrongdoers;

do not wish you could be as successful as the unscrupulous,

for like everyone else they will fade away like the flowers of the field,

they will wither like grass in the summer sun.

Keep trusting in the LORD, and do what is right;

God alone is your security.

Delight in the LORD,

and he will give you your deepest desires.

Commit to following the way of the LORD;

trust in him, and he will do what needs to be done.

He will make your right actions shine like a light in the dark,

He will make your just behaviour blaze like a beacon.

Be still before the LORD: wait patiently for him;

do not fret over those who seem to prosper

by their own wicked ways.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.

Do not worry about the wicked for it only makes things worse.

For those who are crooked will soon be brought to book

And those who wait for the LORD shall inherit his promised land.

Selah

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