You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

Psalm 139:1-6

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OUR HUMAN CONDITION

We hide parts of ourselves–certain feelings and thoughts–from God, ourselves, and others. To be whole, we need to express our true selves before God and within the worshiping community of faith.

Disciple

MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Disciples, seeking constant connectedness and openness with God, trust God with all their thoughts and feelings. The Psalms and the psalmists set us an example in their bold expression of the full range of human emotion–from love to hate, from joy to despair, from blessing to curse. Sometimes we cringe as we read psalms that call on God to curse and destroy others. Or we may avoid them. Better that we read them for what they are and admit that we too have similar feelings and wishes.

Growing in willingness and ability to express boldly to God any though or emotion can enable us to begin to trust others with our own hidden selves.

Disciple

Further Reading

• Salvation History
  • Psalm 136
  • Psalm 78

• Lament
  • Psalm 90
  • Psalm 137

• Penitence
  • Psalm 38

• Thanksgiving
  • Psalm 65

• Praise
  • Psalm 100

• Wisdom
  • Psalm 73

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