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1. TYPE OF PSALM: Hymn of praise to the greatness of God.
It is an alphabetical psalm, which means that each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which in our liturgical version is suppressed. The psalmist praises the Lord, admirable for his greatness, mercy, omnipotence, truth, providence and justice. It is a song to the divine attributes manifested in the great works of the Lord in behalf of man.
2. READ THE WORD.
I will extol you, O my God and King, and I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might.
The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
3. MEDITATE ON THE WORD. Does this reading say anything special to you?
The psalmist begins by declaring his desire to express his praises to his God, who is King of all creation. No one is worthy of praise more than him. It is his desire that these praises last forever, he appeals to the generations so that they are responsible, through the centuries, to announce the greatness of Yahweh.
His attributes as King are summed up in splendor, majesty and glory. Furthermore, in his relationships with men he has always been good and merciful, slow to anger, but condescending and compassionate towards the sinner, as he tells us in verse 8. His works proclaim his goodness; and it is the faithful who know how to appreciate the great deeds in favor of men.
This Psalm proclaims God's intervention in human history to care for, help, and protect. We are not at the mercy of dark forces, nor do we live solitary our existence, but we depend on the action of the Lord, powerful and loving, who has for us a plan, a "kingdom" of peace, a kingdom of mercy (cf. v. 11).
4. PRAY WITH THE WORD. What do you say to God?
Lord God, good to all and loving to all your creatures, the eyes of men are waiting for you: open your hand, then, and satisfy the wishes of your children scattered throughout the world, listen to their cries and save them, support those who are going to fall, save those who love you and make our mouth pronounce your praise.
5. CONTEMPLATE THE WORD. How does your look change?
God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and rich in piety (v.8). God shows himself in history concerned about his creation ... he never leaves us alone and that certainty makes us raise our voices to recognize his gifts and trust in his protection
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