Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 77[a]
Confidence in God During National Distress
1 For the leader; According to Jeduthun. A psalm of Asaph.
I
2 I cry aloud to God,
I cry to God to hear me.
II
12 [b]I will recall the deeds of the Lord;
yes, recall your wonders of old.(B)
13 I will ponder all your works;
on your exploits I will meditate.
14 Your way, God, is holy;
what god is as great as our God?(C)
15 You are the God who does wonders;
among the peoples you have revealed your might.(D)
16 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph.(E)
Selah
17 The waters saw you, God;
the waters saw you and lashed about,
even the deeps of the sea[c] trembled.(F)
18 The clouds poured down their rains;
the thunderheads rumbled;
your arrows flashed back and forth.(G)
19 The thunder of your chariot wheels resounded;
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.(H)
20 Through the sea was your way;
your path, through the mighty waters,
though your footsteps were unseen.(I)
Chapter 1
Reign of Ahaziah, Continued. 1 After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel.(A)
2 Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his roof terrace at Samaria and was injured. So he sent out messengers with the instructions: “Go and inquire of Baalzebub,[a] the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.”
3 Meanwhile, the messenger of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite: Go and meet the messengers of Samaria’s king, and tell them: “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron?” 4 For this, the Lord says: You shall not leave the bed upon which you lie; instead, you shall die. And Elijah departed. 5 The messengers then returned to Ahaziah, who asked them, “Why have you returned?” 6 They answered, “A man met us and said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him: The Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? For this you shall not leave the bed upon which you lie; instead, you shall die.’” 7 The king asked them, “What was the man like who met you and said these things to you?” 8 They replied, “He wore a hairy garment[b] with a leather belt around his waist.” “It is Elijah the Tishbite!” he exclaimed.
9 Then the king sent a captain with his company of fifty men after Elijah. The prophet was seated on a hilltop when he found him. He said, “Man of God, the king commands you, ‘Come down.’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “Well, if I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.(B) 11 The king sent another captain with his company of fifty men after Elijah. He shouted up and said, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down immediately!’” 12 Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And divine fire[c] came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
8 (A)At a time when you did not know God, you became slaves to things that by nature are not gods;[a] 9 but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and destitute elemental powers? Do you want to be slaves to them all over again?(B) 10 You are observing days,(C) months, seasons, and years.[b] 11 I am afraid on your account that perhaps I have labored for you in vain.[c]
Appeal to Former Loyalty.[d] 12 I implore you, brothers, be as I am, because I have also become as you are.[e] You did me no wrong;(D) 13 you know that it was because of a physical illness[f] that I originally preached the gospel to you, 14 and you did not show disdain or contempt because of the trial caused you by my physical condition, but rather you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 Where now is that blessedness of yours?[g] Indeed, I can testify to you that, if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So now have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They show interest in you, but not in a good way; they want to isolate you,[h] so that you may show interest in them.(E) 18 Now it is good to be shown interest for good reason at all times, and not only when I am with you. 19 My children, for whom I am again in labor until Christ be formed in you!(F) 20 I would like to be with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed because of you.
An Allegory on Christian Freedom.[i]
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.