May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars, cut for the building of a palace. May our barns be filled with produce of every kind; may our sheep increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields, and may our cattle be heavy with young. May there be no breach in the walls, no exile, and no cry of distress in our streets. Happy are the people to whom such blessings fall; happy are the people whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144: 12-15)

In seven days it will be one year since I began this daily meditation on the psalms. I come to this milestone more fully recognizing the depth of my self-involvement.

The psalmists are quick to seek God's help, even to claim God's help as their right, and to complain regarding any delay in receiving help.

The psalmists are quick to perceive enemies and call down God's wrath on their enemies.

The psalmists usually assume that prosperity - as in the psalm above - is their reward for being attentive to God.

Very seldom does the psalmist bring his own error before God. Very seldom does the psalmist seem to seek a full relationship with God.

The psalmist is often so focused on the self - and self-justification - that there is barely any room left for God. But the psalms also demonstrate that on rare occasions we are able to step outside ourselves and to open ourselves to a true and full relationship with God.

And when we do so God is always there.