Thursday, December 25, 2008

A PSALM, APPROPRIATE TO THE DAY

Not for us, Lord, not for us
But for Yourself win praise through Your love and faithfulness.

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven, doing whatever He wills.


Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
They have mouths and cannot speak; they have eyes and cannot see.

They have ears and cannot hear; they have noses and cannot smell.
They have hands and cannot feel; they have feet and cannot walk;
Their throats are silent.


They who make them become like them - all those that trust in them.

Let Israel trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.


Let the House of Aaron trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

Let those who revere God trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.


- Psalm 115: 1-11, recited daily during the eight days of Chanukah.

Christians are also familiar with this Psalm; it is part of their Holy Writ. Old-school Catholics, in particular, know it as “Non Nobis Domine”:

Non nobis, Domine, Domine
Non nobis, Domine
Sed nomini, sed nomini
Tuo da gloriam


All of this is a long-winded way of saying Merry Christmas to my Christian friends! May your day be happy; may it bring peace, health, family warmth and love, and good fellowship.

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