Continuing our psalms for funerals series, consider the 27th Psalm. Many psalms offer consolation and encouragement in the face of trouble and grief. This one offers wonderful imagery of God’s shelter in time of trouble, and seeing God’s goodness in the land of the living.
It recognizes that fathers and mothers pass away. Though our parents may “forsake” us by dying, God is eternal and will take care of us. It offers great encouragement for those who have lost heart after a loved one dies.
Psalm 27
God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? God is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of God, that I will seek: that I may dwell in God’s house all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Eternal, and to inquire in God’s temple.
For in the time of trouble God shall hide me in the Eternal’s pavilion; in the secret place of the holy tabernacle, God shall hide me; God shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in God’s tabernacle; I will sing, yes I will sing praises to the Eternal.
Hear, O God, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Adonai, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me , the God will take care of me.
Teach me Your way, O God, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Eternal in the land of the living.
Wait on the Eternal; be of good courage, and God shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Eternal!
Continuing the psalms for funerals series with Psalm 25. This psalm is a plea for guidance, especially in the dark times after a loved one dies,
It provides a reminder of the covenant God makes with those who believe. And like the 23rd, this makes references to helping deal with enemies.
A Psalm of David.
Unto You, O God, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in you: let me not be ashamed, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
Show me your ways, O God; teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all the day.
Remember, O God, your tender mercies and your lovingkindnesses; for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to your mercy remember me for your goodness’ sake, O God.
Good and upright is the Eternal who will teach sinners in the way.
The humble God guides in judgment: and God teaches the humble the way of the Eternal.
All the paths of the Eternal are mercy and truth to those who keep God’s covenant and testimonies.
For your name’s sake, O God, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.
What man is he that fears the Eternal? Him shall God teach in the way that God shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease; and his descendants shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the Eternal is with them that fear God; and God will show them the covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Eternal; for God shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: bring me out of my distresses!
Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
Keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in you.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait for You.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles!
Continuing the psalms for funerals series with Psalm 46. This psalm is probably most famous for the phrase, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
In the chaos and confusion following a death in the family, Psalm 46 provides the reassurance that God, as the first line says, “is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
A Psalm of David.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved; he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The Ruler of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the Eternal, what desolation God hath made in the earth.
God makes wars cease unto the end of the earth; breaks the bow, and cuts the spear asunder; and burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The Ruler of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Continuing the psalms for funerals series with Psalm 121. (Note – we’re not going in numerical order.)
If you live in an area with big hills or mountains that catch your attention on a daily basis, consider Psalm 121. This psalm can give you a regular dose of inspiration and comfort.
This is my own updating of the King James version, to make references to God gender neutral. After all, are not both men and women made in the image of God?
Psalm 121:
I lift my eyes to the mountains (or hills) – from where will my help come?
My help comes from God, who made heaven and earth.
God will not allow your foot to stumble; God who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
The Eternal is your keeper; God is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
God shall preserve you from all evil; The Eternal shall preserve your soul.
God shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and forevermore.
Psalms recited at funerals help comfort the living. This Memorial Day weekend, I’m starting a series on psalms for funerals, starting with probably the most popular psalm, the 23rd.
Both Jewish and Christian funerals utilize the 23rd Psalm. It affirms that though we face trials in life, with God’s support we move through the dark times and can achieve wholeness and fulfillment.
Newer translations of this psalm have appeared in the last few decades. The version that follows is the traditional King James translation that includes the somewhat awkward “est” endings to verbs. If you prefer to use gender neutral names, you can replace “The Lord” and “He” with “God,” “The Divine,” or the Hebrew name “Adonai.”
A psalm of David:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in straight paths for His Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
For Thou art with me.
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou annointest my head with oil,
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
