O GOD, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect Source: Sacrementary of Gelasius, Bishop of Rome [ca 494AD]. Inspired by 1 Corinthians ii. 9. (from Isaiah lxiv.4) Latin
Psalms 28, 29 | 30, 31 , Romans vi. 3 & St. Matthew v. 20
Homily of Augustine on Psalm XXXI
Comment
The verse today from the Psalm is one that I often pray, especially as I age and it seems that I have more awareness of Senior Moments... loss of recall (although my dearest centurion assures me it is no new thing for me). I come across the verse so often because it concludes the Te Deum . In the middle ages and the Latin liturgy of England, this hymn was said on Sundays during non-penitential seasons, and many still follow that tradition. In the Reformed Anglican Tradition of the Prayer Book (traditional) there is no rubric as to when it may be used, nor was there in 500 AD when it was composed, and so this is how you will find it at the bottom of the devotion in the Chapel of the Centurions
"In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted, let Me not be put to confusion for ever" (ver. 1). In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted, let Me never be confounded, whilst they shall insult Me as one like other men. "In Thy righteousness rescue Me, and deliver Me." And in Thy righteousness rescue Me from the pit of death, and deliver Me out of their company.
As I reflect on it and consider the many voices one hears in many traditions that claim to be Christian, yet depart substantially from the Gospel, I realize that this is a very important prayer today. I would suggest that if your congregation is subjected to "strange" preaching from time to time with a minister who takes liberties with the scripture and traditional thought on such subjects as the Trinity, Virgin Birth, and Atonement, you may wish to begin you own little Call to Worship with this before you cross the threshold:
In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted, let Me not be put to confusion for ever
or even better, use the Te Deum in your daily worship and before corporate worship, which beautifully reinforces the essential truths and worship of the church, and concludes with this verse. As you do so, believe in the promises of our Lord that he would not let any man (nor Satan) take any of his elect out of his hand.
Note: see an excellent historical account with the rules of religious communities that have used the hymn in the Early Church
finis
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Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]
* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
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