Psalm 85

At our house, we have a stack of blankets.

And one of the favorite things for each of us to do is curl up on the couch. Covered! Warm! Cozy!

Other than rhyming, "quilt" and "guilt" have nothing in common. But can't you imagine God laying a warm, comforting quilt over us when the Psalmist says, "2 You have forgiven the guilt of your people -- yes, you have covered all [my] sins." Covered! Forgiven! Quilt instead of guilt.

Indeed, when the Psalmist says, "1 you have poured out amazing blessings on your land," can't you almost imagine the aerial photos of the farms in summer. When God blesses the land, the fields are almost a patchwork quilt of different plants and different colors. Covered! Wrapped up in "1 amazing blessings."

At our house, we keep the thermostat low in the winter. Therefore, one of things that makes us cringe is when a corner of the blanket is pulled up and our toes are exposed. Life too has chilly times, and so we pray like the Psalmist. "Cover us back up" is really "4 turn to us again, O God of our salvation." And "warm us back up" is really "6 revive us again [and] 7 show us your unfailing love."

What happens when "10 unfailing love and truth me[e]t together"? What happens when "10 righteousness and peace kiss[]"? We are covered. "12 The Lord pours down his blessings [and] our land will yield its bountiful crops."

Gracious God, cover me with your quilt.

Cover me with forgiveness and "1 amazing blessings."

Let my love be unfailing. Let me seek always your truth.

And help my human efforts meet your love which is truly unfailing

and your truth which is life's only accurate guide.

Bless me with your kiss of righteousness and peace.