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December 7
This psalm reflects the traditional Advent theme of hope and suggests how Advent connects us all. The psalmist’s buoyant expectation of good things to come rests upon the connection of his community with the past, their solidarity in the present, and their common dependence upon their covenant God for a brighter future. In vv. 1-3 the psalmist looks back and ponders God’s former favor and forgiveness, when the Jewish people were restored from exile. This identification with the people of God in the past forms the basis for his appeals in the present. In vv. 4-7, the psalmist pleads on behalf of his people for restoration and a fresh manifestation of God’s saving help, voicing their collective dismay at their dire circumstances in three anguished questions. In v. 8 the psalmist announces that God will speak peace to his people, “shalom,” a word of well-being and wholeness. In vv. 9-13 he elaborates on this notion. He invokes the LORD’s attributes of steadfast love and covenant faithfulness as guarantors of hope. He envisions a harvest of faithfulness springing up under the beneficent rays of righteousness. He awaits God’s good gifts and looks forward to abundance. This hope is not simply personal, but corporate; it connects the people of God as they watch and wait.
Our circumstances differ from those of the ancient Israelites, but our hope in God and our longing expectation are similar to theirs. As we await the appearance of Jesus, we may affirm with the psalmist, “Surely his salvation is at hand” (v. 9).
Charles Swadley