Psalm 118:5-6 "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me..."

"Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:5-6 RSV)

Comment:

The series of psalms from 113 to 118 are very important in Jewish liturgy; they are recited at important festivals and, especially, before and after the Seder meal. Psalm 118, in particular, is a psalm of thanksgiving for victory over adversaries. Although the specific references are to a battle won, the spiritual affirmation applies equally to all the challenges we face in life. When we remember to “call on the Lord”—to surrender our mortal mind to the Christ Presence of God within us—we will be set free from challenges and limitations. It's often only when our limited mortal minds have led us into confusion and distress that we remember to invoke our spiritual connection. But as we move forward in spiritual awareness, we can turn to the Lord always, without making the painful detours into distress.   Blessings!

Rev. Ed