Consecrating God,
God,
Give us spirits, hearts, and minds to make you the center of our lives. With joy, let us enter your presence and worship you in Spirit and in Truth. You are the warrior who is clothed in splendor and majesty who rides forth in the cause of truth, humility and justice. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear your Spirit moving upon this earth. And by your Spirit within each of us as believers, give us the desire for justice, mercy, and humility in our lives and in the lives of the people of our community. Let us not grow weary of doing good, but always seek to bless, encourage, and build up those around us. May we together honor you with our hearts, our creations, and our words so that your Light and Truth are spread throughout this world. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
Psalm 45
1
My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2
You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
3
Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
4
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
5
Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
8
All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.
9
Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
10
Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
11
Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
12
The city of Tyre will come with a gift,
people of wealth will seek your favor.
13
All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
14
In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her—
those brought to be with her.
15
Led in with joy and gladness,
they enter the palace of the king.
16
Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.
17
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.