Psalm 59

I grew up in a very safe and secure environment. My father served in the US Air Force, and all the way through high school I lived on or near Air Force bases. The reality of a hostile world burst our Norman Rockwell life with the onset of the Cuban Missile Crisis followed one year later by the assassination of President Kennedy. The Gulf of Tonkin incident in Viet Nam occurred the summer I graduated from high school, and thus began the rapid expansion of US military forces in Southeast Asia. The violence between nations led to violence and rebellion within nations, including the assassination of several national leaders in the US. Now, decades later, and given the vitriolic discourse in Congress, it is surprising violence has not yet assaulted the legislative chambers. While the message and language of Psalm 59 may seem dated and belonging to another era, it could have well been written in our country, even last week.

Because Psalm 59 is applicable to so many people, figuratively, if not literally, it serves as a reminder that the child of God always has options. We do not have to cower in fear. We do not have to return violence for violence, insult for insult, and hate for hate. We can sing with the psalmist, “Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress” (Psalm 59:16b).

Psalm 59 is also a reminder that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Although the purpose of evil is to steal and kill and destroy, Jesus has overcome the forces of evil (John 10:10, 16:33). Therefore, Jesus said, “Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,

    may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done on earth,

    as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need,

and forgive us our sins,

    as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation,

    but rescue us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:9-13 (Emphasis Added)

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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Reading for June 30, 2012         Psalm 60