Psalm 21

Psalm 21

In northern Israel Tel Megiddo overlooks the Jezreel Valley. This place is better known to Christians by its Greek name, Armageddon. In ancient times Megiddo was an important city-state. Excavations have discovered many layers of ruins, indicating a long period of settlement. Megiddo is strategically located as the hub of trade routes for three civilizations: Europe; Asia and Africa. Israel’s central location made it a prized possession in ancient times and was thus the place of constant battles between competing nations.

Warfare was part of the fabric of life for the Israelites and much of the Old Testament reflects the imagery of war. Psalm 21 was probably written in anticipation of a battle. At the core of Israel’s nation identity was a belief she had been called to be the people of God. Through her covenant with God, she understood herself to be the Divine Army used by God to execute judgment upon the sinfulness and idolatry of other nations. The two parts of this psalm reflect on God’s affirmation of Israel and God’s judgment on evil.

This psalm is also understood as being fulfilled by Jesus in His epic battle against sin and death. The climax of this battle was on the Cross where Jesus encountered the full wreath of the forces of evil. But, God is stronger than evil and Jesus’ resurrection destroyed the power of evil to bind God’s children with a yoke of sin and death. Hallelujah!

While the power of evil can no longer separate God’s people from God, evil still wages war against God and God’s children. As the followers of Jesus, we look to Jesus, the Messiah, and the One who fulfilled the Old Covenant and ushered in the New Covenant, to show us how to respond to the forces of evil. Taking the offensive with guns, bullets and bombs is not the way of Christ. No, we are not defenseless. The Apostle Paul shows us our battle armor: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:12-18).

 And, Paul also shows us our offensive weapons:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,

but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

Let each of you look not to your own interests,

but to the interests of others.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

Philippians 2: 3-8 (NRSV)

Sē’lah

What word or phrase in these verses

Attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for May 23, 2012  Psalm 22