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ritual of respect

Psalm 63:3-7 (JDV)

Psalm 63:3 My lips will glorify you because your covenant faithfulness is better than life.
Psalm 63:4 So I will bless you as long as I live; when you are named, I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:5 You satisfy me like with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.
Psalm 63:6 When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on you during the night watches
Psalm 63:7 because you are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.

ritual of respect

When I was a missionary in the Philippines, I took Jeepneys to many places, because it was cheap, reliable transportation. The Jeepney drivers were a rough set, not known for their godliness. But many of them had a set of rosary beads somewhere in their vehicle, and would touch it or kiss it whenever they passed a church. It was very animistic, but it was a ritual of respect.

David apparently had a ritual of respect as well. Whenever he heard the name of God, he would lift up his hands. The Hebrew word for hand is YAD, from which they derived the verb YADAH – to praise. So, the sound of God’s name would naturally result in a gesture of praise. That is not a bad tradition.

Lord, show us how to regularly show respect for you.