Lord, Send Out Your Spirit – Renew the Face of the Earth!
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Blessed Pentecost to everyone! Let’s shout together, “Come, Holy Spirit!” Although Pentecost may not seem as “holiday – esque” as other Liturgical celebrations like Christmas and Easter, it is equally as important, seeing that it is when we receive the Final Part of the Holy Trinity. We welcome the Holy Spirit into our bodies and souls, trusting that God’s Advocate will guide us along the way!
The Reading from Psalm provides us with reassurance and hope of this:
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (NRSV)
24 O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures..
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.
27 These all look to you to give them their food in due season;
28 when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. t.
30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
35 Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!
We hear about people being led throughout Scripture to do miraculous things through the Holy Spirit, whether that be communicating with people across language boundaries, proclaiming God’s Word and the truth of Jesus to people that we meet from every background, and just being kind to all people – even when it’s hard. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to guide and advocate for us along the way!
This reminds me of a vocal setting to this Psalm that we would always sing at my family’s Church growing up, with the following Refrain: “Lord, Send out Your Spirit, and renew the face of the Earth!
There are so many beautiful versions of this Psalm set to lyrics and music.
Pentecost also provides me with a lot of Hope, because I came to a realization when I was younger that God is truly omnipresent.
– The Father watches over and blesses us from above.
– Jesus is in our hearts, and helps our souls be cleansed and us to make decisions with a clean conscience.
– And, through Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Guide in all of our pathways on Earth!
When we read this Psalm, especially in Verse 30, we can also see a renewal, a rebirth if you will, of lives here on Earth. And, isn’t that something that we all need right now?
Take comfort and heart in this Psalm, 104: Verse 30: “When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.”
Come, Holy Spirit, come!