Psalm 31: The words of Lemuel

These are the words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him. Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing and whose life is bitter. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. An excellent wife is worth far above jewels, and the heart of her husband trusts her. She does good to him and not evil, all the days of her life. She rises while it is still night and gives food to her household. She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She extends her hand to the poor, and stretches out her hands to the needy. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Several teachings are found in this poem. It identifies the two foundational women in the life of a man. The first is his mother who warns against adulterous women and strong drink. She exhorts her son to sober judgment and defense of the needy. The second foundational woman is the bountiful wife. She is known for her self-sacrifice and one-way love. She does not waste household treasure, but instead reinvests it bringing her husband more than he brought into the family treasury. She joins her husband in defending the poor and gains approval of everyone by careful selection of her words and works of kindness.

Daily Prayer: My Father, I thank you that you gave me the woman in this proverb. My wife and lifetime companion can be trusted in all matters and seeks first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. As a result, all the things that we need have been added unto us. Bless her Father and comfort her in all of life's situations. In your holy name I pray Amen.