Sirach 47:1-16: a reflection

1After him, Nathan rose up to prophesy in the days of David. 2As is the fat when it is separated from the peace offering, so was David separated from the children of Israel. 3He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs of the flock. 4In his youth didn’t he kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people when he lifted up his hand with a sling stone, and beat down the boasting Goliath? 5For he called upon the Most High Lord, and he gave him strength in his right hand to kill a man mighty in war, to exalt the horn of his people. 6So they glorified him for his tens of thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, in that a glorious diadem was given to him. 7For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and defeated the Philistines his adversaries. He broke their horn in pieces to this day. 8In every work of his he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory. He sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him. 9He set singers before the altar, to make sweet melody by their music. 10He gave beauty to the feasts, and set in order the seasons to completion while they praised his holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning. 11The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever. He gave him a covenant of kings, and a glorious throne in Israel. 12After him a wise son rose up, who because of him lived in security. 13Solomon reigned in days of peace. God gave him rest all around, that he might set up a house for his name, and prepare a sanctuary forever. 14How wise you were made in your youth, and filled as a river with understanding! 15Your influence covered the earth, and you filled it with parables and riddles. 16Your name reached to the far away islands, and you were loved for your peace.

This passage praises David, and among his greatness in battle and rule, it dwells on something deeper: his wholehearted worship and love for God. In every work he gave thanks to the Most High, it says; he sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him. Beneath David's victories and his kingship lay a heart that loved God, its Maker, and worshiped him wholeheartedly. And of him it is said, the Lord took away his sins. The deepest thing about David was his love for God.

Notice what the passage prizes most in David: not his victories, but his wholehearted love and worship of God. He sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him. Beneath all his achievements was this: a heart that loved its Maker, and worshiped him with the whole heart, not half-heartedly or as a mere duty, but out of love. This love for God, this wholehearted worship, was the deepest and best thing about David, deeper than his greatness in battle or rule.

That wholehearted love for God, our Maker, is what he most desires from us, deeper than any achievement. We can prize our achievements, our successes, the things we accomplish; but the deepest thing is to love God, our Maker, with the whole heart, and to worship him wholeheartedly, out of love. David loved him who made him, and sang praise with his whole heart; and this was the best thing about him. Let your love for God, your Maker, be the deepest thing about you, deeper than any achievement; worship him wholeheartedly, out of love, not half-heartedly or as a mere duty. Love him who made you, as David loved him, with the whole heart; and let your worship flow from that love. The deepest and best thing is not what we achieve, but that we love God, our Maker, wholeheartedly, and worship him with the whole heart, as David did; let that love be the heart of your life, as it was the heart of David's.

Lord, this passage praises David, and among his greatness in battle and rule, it dwells on something deeper: his wholehearted worship and love for you. In every work he gave thanks; he sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him; and of him it is said, the Lord took away his sins. Show me what the passage prizes most in David: not his victories, but his wholehearted love and worship of you. Beneath all his achievements was a heart that loved its Maker, and worshiped you with the whole heart, out of love. This was the best thing about him. Let that wholehearted love for you, my Maker, be what you most desire from me, deeper than any achievement. I can prize my achievements, my successes, the things I accomplish; but the deepest thing is to love you, my Maker, with the whole heart, and to worship you wholeheartedly, out of love. David loved him who made him, and sang praise with his whole heart. Let my love for you, my Maker, be the deepest thing about me, deeper than any achievement; help me worship you wholeheartedly, out of love, not half-heartedly or as a mere duty. Help me love you who made me, Lord, as David loved you, with the whole heart, and let my worship flow from that love. Let loving you be the heart of my life.