Voice: Noppadon
Today is Friday, 5th of June. The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.
Amen.
Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
Loving His Word
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.”
In Hebrew, the word reviving carries the sense of renewing vitality. God’s Word has the power to re-order, restore, revitalise and renew. It has all the “re-” words.
How many of us need that today?
We may feel tired in spirit, distracted in mind, or weary in heart. Yet the Psalmist reminds us that the Word of the Lord is not lifeless words on a page. It is living and active. It can restore what feels depleted and bring fresh life to the soul.
“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
The Word of God is reliable. It gives wisdom, something we desperately need in our complicated age.
In the Book of Proverbs, the “simple” often refers to one who is gullible or easily led astray. But in the Psalms, the word can also refer to one who is humble, open, and teachable before God. That seems to be the sense here.
The Lord gives wisdom not merely to the clever, but to those humble enough to listen.
“The precepts of the Lord are right.”
The Hebrew word carries the idea of something straight and level.
Like a ruler or a plumb line used in building, God’s Word becomes our reference point. In a world where standards shift so quickly, the Word gives us what is steady and true. It helps us discern what is crooked and what is straight.
“The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Literally, the phrase means “making the eyes sparkle.”
There is delight here. As we behold the Word of the Lord, our eyes brighten. Our hearts awaken. We begin to see things more clearly.
To some, Scripture may seem dry or boring.
But to the Psalmist, the Word of God is a source of deep joy.
“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.”
Then comes the language of desire.
“More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold.”
In many cultures, gold is treasured even more than money. And the Psalmist says the Word is worth more still.
Then he adds: “sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.”
This is not ordinary sweetness. Honey from the comb is the finest kind—fresh, pure, and flowing directly from the source.
The Psalmist is not merely studying God’s Word.
He loves it.
He speaks of it almost as one speaks of a beloved.
And perhaps that is a word for us.
Do not read Scripture merely to improve your life.
Do not read it simply to fulfil some “evangelical duty.”
Read it because God’s Word is pure, precious, priceless and everlasting.
Read it because through it the Lord Himself speaks.
Read it because it is worthy of your heart’s desire.
Fall in love with God’s Word again.
And let Him use it to restore, revitalise and renew your life.
We close with this Collect written by Cranmer:
Blessed Lord,
who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant that we may in such wise
hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word,
we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which thou hast given us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Be blessed by this hymn, Jesus Lover of my Soul, sung by The Living Stones Quartet.
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—
Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am;
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart;
Rise to all eternity.
Link to today’s Morning Office
About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen. Unless otherwise stated, the reflections are written by Revd Wong.
Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.
For feedback, please write to us at info@mpcc.org.sg. We also welcome donations to MPCC. Information on how you may give can be found in this link.
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