Sermon for June 19th, 2022

Psalm 6:1-10

To the leader: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
    O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
3 My soul also is struck with terror,
    while you, O Lord—how long?

4 Turn, O Lord, save my life;
    deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you;
    in Sheol who can give you praise?

6 I am weary with my moaning;
    every night I flood my bed with tears;
    I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eyes waste away because of grief;
    they grow weak because of all my foes.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
    for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my supplication;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;
    they shall turn back and in a moment be put to shame.

Psummer of Psalms V: Psalm 6

On September 11th, 2004 (the day my son Grady was born) I gained an incredible new superpower: The ability to tell Dad jokes. On December 16, 2007, when Abby was born, I leveled up. And on December 16th, 2011 when Jonah was born, I became a Jedi-Dad-Joke-Master. Since today is Father's day, I will now indulge in this ancient, sacred, art on behalf of Dads everywhere.

-What's the difference between a dad joke and a bad joke? Just one letter. -What famous rock group has four men who can't sing? Mount Rushmore. -I was going to tell you a time-traveling joke, but you didn't like it. -I’ve got a pen that can write underwater. It can write other words, too, but underwater is one of my favorites. -I used to play the piano by ear, but now I just use my hands. -I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me. -I used to be addicted to the hokey-pokey, but then I turned myself around. -My wife told me to take the spider out instead of killing it. So...we went out. We had a few drinks. Turns out he's a pretty nice guy. He does web design for a living.

I should note that these jokes have absolutely nothing to do with today's scripture passage, except for the fact that the NRSV Bible calls Psalm 6 a "Prayer for Recovery from Grave Illness." If any of those jokes made you smack yourself on the forehead, grab your stomach, or groan for mercy, then perhaps this prayer is for you.