"Dwelling on the Word"
Psalm 138
Rev. Emily Labrecque, Westmoreland UCC
August 23, 2026
About two months ago, during our Vital and Faithful series, I shared with you a method of bible study called "Dwelling on the Word." We used this method to get some insight into Engaging Sacred Scripture (that is, one of the marks of a vital church). We’re going to do that again today because soon we will have 100 people in the pews and I haven’t quite figured out how to do a bible study with that many people in an unsuitably configured room!
So, as a refresher, here’s how it’s going to work – this usually takes about 30 minutes so we will do a shortened version of it for the sake of time. We will have two people read the scripture. Between readings, I will give you questions to ponder. We will take one minute of silence to ponder the questions. Then you’re going to turn to groups of three with the folks next to you (if you’re sitting alone you’ll need to go sit near others) and each share for one minute about how you responded to one of the questions. Be sure to listen – this is about listening to the scripture as much as it is the individual. Then after those few minutes, we will come back and as a large group, you will be invited to share what someone else shared. Not what YOU thought about the passage, but about what someone else in your triad shared. Is that all clear?
The first step is to pray, so let us pray. Feel free to sing along if you’d like.
Let's read the entire passage out loud.
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.3 On the day I called, you answered me;
you increased my strength of soul.4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he perceives from far away.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Before the scripture is read a second time be open to the Spirit and consider these questions – they are listed in the bulletin under the sermon title:
As the text is read a second time, where do you stop?
Are there words, phrases, ideas which grasp you?
How do you think the Spirit of God might be nudging you?
Let’s take a minute to ponder the questions.
Now let’s turn to a couple of people next to you. Each of you have one minute to share about one of the questions. Make sure you listen to one another.
Now, let’s share out. What did you hear one of your conversation partners say? Not what did you think, what did you hear someone else say?
[Share out from the pews.]
For all of the insights shared and wisdom in the room, we give thanks.
Amen.
