It is said that John Newton kept a handwritten copy of Deuteronomy 15:15 on the wall above his desk: You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you.... Psalm 135 helps us, as it helped Old Tesament saints before us, to remember the mighty deeds of the Lord in our salvation. In the Bible, remembering is not merely historical recall, it is a means of strengthening our faith and renewing our loyalty to the God who has called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), and it is a powerful incentive to thankfulness and praise.

Psalm 135

Praise the Lord!

Praise the name of the Lord,

give praise, O servants of the Lord,

who stand in the house of the Lord,

in the courts of the house of our God!

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;

sing to his name, for it is pleasant!

For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,

Israel as his own possession.

For I know that the Lord is great,

and that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,

in heaven and on earth,

in the seas and all deeps.

He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,

who makes lightnings for the rain

and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

both of man and of beast;

who in your midst, O Egypt,

sent signs and wonders

against Pharaoh and all his servants;

who struck down many nations

and killed mighty kings,

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

and Og, king of Bashan,

and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

and gave their land as a heritage,

a heritage to his people Israel.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever,

your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.

For the Lord will vindicate his people

and have compassion on his servants.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but do not speak;

they have eyes, but do not see;

they have ears, but do not hear,

nor is there any breath in their mouths.

Those who make them become like them,

so do all who trust in them.

O house of Israel, bless the Lord!

O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!

O house of Levi, bless the Lord!

You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!

Blessed be the Lord from Zion,

he who dwells in Jerusalem!

Praise the Lord!

THE PSALM PRAYER

O Lord God, who by your dear Son Jesus has made us kings and priests to offer to you spiritual sacrifices: Grant unto us that we, renouncing all idolatry, superstition, and all ungodliness, may give over ourselves to your service; and that in all times of tribulation we may call on you with our whole heart, and so feel your fatherly bounty and mercy which it is your nature to have towards all those whom you have regenerated through the self-same Jesus your Son. AMEN.

In the Presbyterian Daily Lectionary (guide for reading the Bible daily), one of the Psalms for Sunday, 20 June is Psalm 19. In it, David praises God for the two books that he has given to humankind: the book of creation and the book of Scripture. Each in its own way and according to the Triune God's purposes, speaks the truth about us and about God---things that truly are, as they are. So, with David, we praise God for all things bright and beautiful, most especially for his Word, which revives the soul.

Psalm 19

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words,

nor is any voice actually heard.

Yet their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them,

and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true,

and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?

Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion over me!

Then I shall be blameless,

and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

O God, Creator of all things: Grant that we may acknowledge and magnify your great strength and power that declare you in the preserving and guiding of this world. Do not allow us to wander, even a little, from your holy instruction, which is pure and perfect, but rather grant that we may take delight in it, and be so entirely governed by it that, in the end, we may be made participants in your heavenly salvation. Through Jesus Christ. AMEN.