June 15, 2023 — Psalm 58 

“Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge people fairly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth. The wicked go astray from the womb; they err from their birth, speaking lies. They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! Let them vanish like water that runs away; like grass let them be trodden down and wither. Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime; like the untimely birth that never sees the sun. Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away! The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. People will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.” Psalm 58 

The principles and prayers in the psalm apply universally where an unjust judicial system is practiced. This psalm is a good lesson to all rulers and judges, that they are accountable to G-d for the way they rule and pronounce judgments and that they themselves are liable to severe punishments by God if they should ever pervert true justice. In Judaism there is a concept not to rejoice too much at the downfall of one’s enemies. Yet despite this practice of grace, we certainly do pray that wicked people are punished and that violent oppressors are destroyed. 

We should not live in the hope that the others of the world who hate us and speak evil against us will get their due punishment at some point. Instead we must allow judgment to G-d, which will allow us to let go of hate and put our trust and hope in G-d alone.

 Prayer 

Merciful God, all judgment belongs to you. Give us the wisdom to perceive Christ in others, and to examine our own conduct; so that on the great and final day we may approach you not as severe judge, but as our Father, who loves us in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

June 14, 2023 — Psalm 57 

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me, he will put to shame those who trample on me. God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness. I lie down among lions that greedily devour human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth. They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 57 

When we undergo suffering we need to keep going to G-d and tell G-d how much we need Him in our struggle. Suffering often brings about thoughts of revenge, anger, feeling of injustice, self-pity and other unholy emotions. Therefore, we must humbly admit that we desperately need G-d’s mercy and Grace often. We learn how to take refuge for our souls in G-d alone and not in anyone or anything else. Jesus often taught us to persevere in prayer. Jesus reminds us that we must not give up clinging to him and trusting Him until trouble passes. 

G-d allows suffering to purify us and make us fit for greater purposes. If we refuse the suffering that G-d allows in our life, we will never get purified and we will not be fit for the higher purposes that G-d has in store for us. After all, G-d is the potter and we are the clay – we must allow G-d to mold us in his Son’s image.

When we pray we often want to see immediate results and when they are not forthcoming then we get very discouraged. We must learn to trust that G-d hears our prayers and that He does act on our behalf in the heavens — sending His love and faithfulness. Sometimes His answer is delayed due to evil spiritual opposition, but in not giving up we will receive all that G-d has in store for us. 

Prayer

Lord, send your mercy and your truth to rescue us from the snares of the devil, and we will praise you among the peoples and proclaim you to the nations, happy to be known as companions of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.