“We lift our hearts to the Lord.”

PSALM PRAYER
Psalm 85

Many of the approved (Catholic) translations of Scripture often contain different words or nuances of meaning. For example, in today's verse (9), our liturgy reads: "I will hear what God proclaims..." The St. Joseph edition suggests this wording: "I will listen for God’s response..." It may be a subtle difference but it is one worth noting.

I will hear suggests to us (or at least to this writer) that we are already in a position for God's word to find us. Perhaps our hearts are properly disposed or open to the message. The word has been uttered and we try to embrace it eagerly.

I will listen for seems to suggest a journey to embrace God’s message. It may say to us that we need to go in search of God, to sort out the inner voices from the voice of God, to make a journey from our heads to our hearts, to deepen our encounter, to fine-tune our inner selves to receive the word.

A simple change in word(s) can unleash the power of Scripture. Consulting more than one iteration of the Sacred Word can provide for us a greater depth of meaning and message.