The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

Psalm 116:5-7

This short passage is one of those that should be read slowly, very slowly, in a quiet and solitary place. Come to think of it, this little passage needs to be a prayer, more than just read; try praying it.

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.

It’s like a prayer of Thanksgiving, isn’t it?

The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

Yes, O Lord, how many times you have saved me! Thank you, Lord!

Definitely a prayer of Thanksgiving.

Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

Now this is interesting. O, Lord, you have been good to me in so many ways, so many times: Praise be to your Name!!

See what just happened there? A prayer of Thanksgiving morphs into a prayer of praise, and life this morning just got a whole lot better- thank you, Lord.