Psalm 64

Psalm 64 is a personal lament David wrote in response to verbal abuse and deceitful people. The psalm is helpful to us as we seek the life in Christ because it models the appropriate response to conflict and persecution. David took his complaint to God. He is not seeking to vindicate himself, rather he asked God to vindicate him. The psalm also affirms that God is the only righteous judge.

There is a danger in too quickly identifying with David, and seeing ourselves as victims of abuse, slander or other verbal abuse. Perhaps, if we pause long enough to examine ourselves, we may see ourselves as the abusers. As I read Psalm 64 I thought of Jesus’ command from the Sermon on the Mount,

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” (Matthew 7:1-3).

Of all of Jesus’ commands to his followers, this may well be the one that is least obeyed. Listen to the conversations in the public square, in your churches and communities, and you will hear people pronouncing judgment on others. Listen to your own self-talk, and you probably will hear your self-judgment. As Christians we do great harm to the Body of Christ and to the Kingdom of God when we indulge ourselves in the judgment of others, and of ourselves.

It is sad that Pogo keeps getting it so right, especially within the Body of Christ: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” However, we do not despair. We remember who we are, and we remember the great promises of God:

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

Ephesians 2:4-5

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to the Master.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

1 John 1:9

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 July 5, 2012            Psalm 65