Oxygen from Psalm 112 (The Passing Generation)

Yesterday we learned of the passing of a dear family friend, one of those from "the greatest generation." As I  thought of her passing, I thought of so many others who endured Depression and wars and prosperity, but kept faith with Christ through it all.


1 Praise the LORD!
How joyful are those who fear the LORD
and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.


(Psalm 112:1-6)

Lord God:

They did not know their greatness,
this greatest generation, now passing;
they only knew to do their duty
and to love without regard to self.

They endured such deprivations,
faithful during long separatons;
they believed that God was true
and their word was honor bound.

Now they're gone, replaced by tears,
and the grief of empty chairs,
closets hung with familiar clothes
that will no longer memories frame.

So, we, their children, give them leave
to up and go where most they knew
have journeyed to a better land,
to rejoin their greatest loves.

May we who linger in this realm
be comforted for what time we have;
may we remember and celebrate
that we such greatness once beheld.

Amen