The text: Psalm 30 – NRSV
At least in my experience, there is no situation—be it a team or group meeting, a performance, or anything else— that is not improved if I enter it with this question: “What about this am I thankful for?” It’s a simple but powerful question. Having this “attitude of gratitude” changes my orientation from an inward one, focused on my own selfish concerns and anxieties, to an outward one, focused on the positive things beyond my control that have allowed me to be there at all. Being thankful is inherently an act of humble curiosity, and requires attentive listening and awareness of capacities outside of my experience.
Considering all of this, it’s pretty obvious that a prayer of thanksgiving to God is one of the easiest and most effective prayers, mainly for what it does to us while we pray it. There are few better examples of such a prayer than Psalm 30, a song of personal thanksgiving from what may have been a terrible illness, but I think you’ll find that the prayer addresses any dark moment of the soul. The psalm is full of gems that are often quoted, easily remembered, and well cherished. Keep it close. Enjoy.
Curious about this series of posts? Read the initial post.
Want to catch up on any you missed? See them all by clicking on ‘Lenten Psalms” below.
