Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

(A psalm by Asaph for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies of the Agreement.”)

Help Our Nation

David Gives Thanks to the Lord

(1 Chronicles 17.16-27)

¹⁸ David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. Then he sat there and prayed:

Lord All-Powerful, my family and I don't deserve what you have already done for us, ¹⁹ and yet you have promised to do even more. Is this the way you usually treat people?^{[a] 20} I am your servant, and you know my thoughts, so there is nothing more that I need to say. ²¹ You have done this wonderful thing, and you have let me know about it, because you wanted to keep your promise.

²² Lord All-Powerful, you are greater than all others. No one is like you, and you alone are God. Everything we have heard about you is true.

4 ¹ Children who are under age are no better off than slaves, even though everything their parents own will someday be theirs. ² This is because children are placed in the care of guardians and teachers until the time their parents have set. ³ This is how it was with us. We were like children ruled by the powers of this world.

⁴ But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, ^5 (A) so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children. ^6 (B) Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father. ⁷ You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised.