Faith Daily Lectio Monday, October 19, 2026 Evening Psalm
Monday, October 19, 2026 · Monday in the week of the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24)
Evening Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
Lord God, You reign over all the earth. As this evening comes, send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 97, that I may rejoice in Your rule and rest in the righteousness You give me in Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Psalm 97
1The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
8Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
9For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
11Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.” (Psalm 97:1)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law "Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols" (v. 7). Our idols may not be carved, but we serve them all the same: comfort, approval, money, control. "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil" (v. 10), the Psalm says, and by evening we know how often we have loved what He hates.
The Gospel "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice" (v. 1). The King of fire and lightning is the same Lord who came in humility to bear our sins. The Psalm promises that "he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked" (v. 10). In Christ you are one of His saints. "Light is sown for the righteous" (v. 11), and that light is His.
Prayer Lord, I confess my idols and the evil I have loved today. Forgive me for Jesus' sake. Thank You for reigning in mercy and for preserving my soul. Let me rejoice in You as this day ends. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
"Clouds and darkness are round about him" (v. 2). There are evenings when God's ways are hidden and we cannot see what He is doing. The Psalm does not deny the clouds, but it says that righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne. Under trial it may help to trust that the Lord who reigns behind the clouds is the Lord who died and rose for you.
Evening prayer Lord God, You reign even when clouds and darkness hide Your ways. Keep me tonight under Your care, preserve my soul, and wake me to rejoice in You again. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
