Today, read through the passage for the week again Psalm 118:19-29 in the Message version. Then read through Nan Merrill's interpretation of the same passage below. Choose one and pray from it today OR write your own poem/prayer inspired by this passage.
17-20 I didn’t die. I lived! And now I’m telling the world what God did. God tested me, he pushed me hard, but he didn’t hand me over to Death. Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates! I’ll walk right through and thank God! This Temple Gate belongs to God, so the victors can enter and praise.
21-25 Thank you for responding to me; you’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted— let’s celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God—a free and full life!
26-29 Blessed are you who enter in God’s name— from God’s house we bless you! God is God, he has bathed us in light. Adorn the shrine with garlands, hang colored banners above the altar! You’re my God, and I thank you. O my God, I lift high your praise. Thank God—he’s so good. His love never quits!
Yes, You opened to me the gates of truth and justice
that I might enter through them.
Praise be to You, O Merciful One!
This is the gate to Life;
those who know Love shall enter through it.
I give thanks to You, O Beloved, who answer our prayers and invite us to new Life.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the foundation of our lives.
This, O Eternal Listener, is your work; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day which You have made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Remain ever by our side, O Friend!
Come live in our hearts as Loving Companion Presence!
Blessed are all who enter through your gates!
Blessed are all who dwell in the house of Love!
For You lead the Way, You forgive our misguided ways and
You bring Light into darkness.
Come, all you who will, partake of the Great Banquet!
You are my Beloved, and I will give hanks to You;
You are my Beloved, greatly will I praise You!
We give thanks to You, O Blessed One,
for You are kind; your steadfast love endures for ever!