A famous verse, and a simple prayer

The opening verse of Psalm 118 appears to have been an important part of ancient Jewish prayer, seeing that it appears many, many places throughout the Bible. Even to this day, that verse remains an important part of worship services, whether Catholic or Protestant.

The KJV rendering of that verse reads,

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

The verse is simple, but spiritually rich. It gives a command for how to pray (i.e., give thanks), and it lists two important reasons why we should give thanks.

The verse also is easy to memorize, and easy to convert to first person for use as a frequent prayer throughout the day. (For example, we can say, "Thanks, Lord, for you are good. Your mercy endures forever.")

However we choose to use this verse, the frequency with which it appears in the Bible strongly suggests its importance. Let us find a way to employ it in our prayer lives.

Two "two evils" we all commit

Staying in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 2, verse 13 (KJV) outlines the double-edge sin we all commit. In the verse, God first says,

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters...

Note the similarity to the language Jesus uses when speaking at the well with the Samaritan woman (John 4:14, KJV),

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

So the first part of our sin is that we refuse God's life-giving "water." But it gets worse! Returning to Jeremiah 2:13,

...and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

So, not only do we turn our back on God, we search out things to replace him, things that "can hold no water." In our prayers, let us search out times we have committed those sins listed in Jeremiah 2:13, and ask for forgiveness.

A prayer for mercy from Jeremiah

Compared to other Biblical prophets, the book of Jeremiah offers fascinating glimpses into the (often despondent) psychology of its author. Simply put, Jeremiah did not seem to enjoy his job as a prophet!

As an example of a window into Jeremiah's mind, consider his prayer for mercy on behalf of the Hebrew people (Jeremiah 14:20-21, KJV),

We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

The first sentence offers a humble acknowledgement of sin. The second sentence asks God to temper his punishment, but note the reason for Jeremiah's wanting mercy. Not because the people deserve mercy. Not because the people promise thereafter to remain obedient. Rather, Jeremiah requests mercy for God's "name sake." Jeremiah requests mercy because humans are the "throne" of God's glory.

The point is, everything we do, including repenting, should be for God's glory, and his glory alone.