Jacob Duche' was born this day, January 31, 1738. He was the Anglican clergyman who, at the request of the Continental Congress, opened the first session of Congress with prayer. Conscious of impending British attack, Rev. Jacob Duche' read Psalm 35: "Plead my cause, Oh, Lord, with them that strive with me, fight against them that fight against me...Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me." John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail: “Rev. Duche' appeared with his clerk and in his pontificals, and read several prayers in the established form, and read...the 35th Psalm...I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning. After this, Mr. Duche', unexpectedly to every body, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess, I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced...with such fervor, such ardor, such earnestness and pathos, and in language so elegant and sublime, for America, for the Congress, for the province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here. I must beg you to read that Psalm.”

This was a post on my blog from AmeriSearch.com. It is a small thing I have at the bottom of my side bar. There are some interesting entries. This one, however, struck me.

Today, many historic events took place. Corretta Scott King died. Her life and family have been icons of civil rights and justice. I was saddened to hear this news, but thankful that ours is a world better for her life and for Rev. Martin Luther King. Every January we read a book about him, now I shall include his wife.

Justice Alito was (finally) confirmed to the Supreme Court and Justice O’Connor retired. I remember when she was confirmed. I was very young, but very well impressed that she was the first woman to the bench. (Ms. Ginsberg has done nothing to impress me.)

President Bush gave his State of the Union address. “Hopeful” seemed to be the running theme, particularly towards the end. I loved how he chastised the Dems for not playing well with others while in session. Perhaps now they will or at the very least the Repubs won’t let the few loud know-it-alls run amok (not that I have any in mind – Teddy Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi). His best comment was one concerning baby boomers turning sixty, including “two of his father’s favorite people” himself and former President Clinton. Did you see Hillary’s face? She said more with her glares and smug lips than any words that spill forth from her mouth. She was not amused. Neither was the audience.

However, the most interesting historic event that took place was this man’s birth some 233 years before mine. Rev. Jacob Duche, of whom the entry from AmeriSearch.com was about, read Psalm 35 before the Continental Congress and then he prayed. This was such an inspired act that John Adams begged his wife to read Psalm 35. I read Psalm 35. The Psalms vary with short songs to long poems. This one has 28 verses. Reading this with passion and vigor took some time. This reverend is standing in front of politicians reading with his heart that which the Lord impressed upon him. The British were about to attack; the threat of war is great. He reads:

Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me;

Fight against those who fight against me.

Take hold of shield and buckler,

And stand up for my help.

Also draw out the spear,

And stop those who pursue me.

Say to my soul,

"I am your salvation."

Can you hear him? Can you imagine the salvation felt by these men who put their trust in God against those who were their enemies? He reads all 28 verses. Here is how the passage ends:

Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion

Who rejoice at my hurt;

Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor

Who exalt themselves against me.

Let them shout for joy and be glad,

Who favor my righteous cause;

And let them say continually,

"Let the Lord be magnified,

Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness

And of Your praise all the day long.

He ends reading praises for the Creator God, the Redeemer God, the Holy God. But this is not the end of his time in front of the politicians. From his mouth pours forth such an inspired prayer that all felt the moving of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Adams wrote his wife about this moment. Praise God for such an insightful man to remember and preserve in history the effects of this prayer by Rev. Duche.

Read Psalm 35; pray it for our nation and our national leaders. Though I pray we are not attacked again, I am not ignorant of the fact that there are nations and peoples who hate America. And though we have slipped from our Firm Ground, we are still held in His Strong Hand.