Psalms 35 – 37: Seek Justice
Monday, October 21, 2024
A Favorite from November 12, 2009.
Yesterday we reflected on the value of seeking wisdom in times of trial. Today we focus on seeking justice in times of injustice and these three psalms serve as a kind of trilogy of prayer. I am struck by the titles of these songs in English first and then in Spanish.
35 – An Appeal for Help against Injustice, I am Your Salvation
36 – Human Weakness and Divine Goodness, By Your Light we see Light
37 – Fate of the Wicked and reward of the Righteous, The Humble Shall Inherit the Earth
We are lead from naming injustice, through seeking God in order that we see what is good about our situation, to arrive at the result of God’s way of being. In God’s world, the wicked suffer consequences for their descent into darkness and secrecy while the faithful are rewarded for their perseverance and patience. When we feel pummeled by life we might want to turn to these three prayers and give them our full focus.
Rescue me from these ravening beasts; preserve my precious life from these lions.
If we can identify the wicked ways of others then we know when and where to step cautiously.
Do not allow my treacherous enemies to gloat over me; do not permit those who hate me without reason to wink their eyes at me.
Humans fear that the darkness will encompass them; yet we have been promised the light.
Sin speaks to the wicked one in the heart; . . . there is no fear of God. He deludes himself with the idea that his guilt will not be discovered and hated.
In the end, nothing remains hidden. Those who engage in darkness forget that the light will reveal all.
Oh Lord, your kindness extends to the heavens; your faithfulness to the skies . . . With you is the fountain of life, and by your light we see light.
We must appeal to God to show us how to find strength through our kindness.
Do not fume because of evildoers or envy those who do wrong. They will wither quickly like the grass and fade away like the green herb. Put your trust in the Lord and do good . . .
Sinking to the level of the wicked only makes the darkness more intense and brings it closer.
In a short while, the wicked will be no more; no matter how diligently you search, you will not be able to find him.
We must not allow our anxieties and preoccupations to close in on us. Seek God in order to find stillness and quiet.
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy an abundance of peace.
We must be meek as Jesus is meek, humble as The Lamb is humble.
Two words struck me from today’s closing prayer at Mass which I will carry with me for awhile: Courage and Peace. If we have these two, we have all. This Psalm Trilogy today is a roadmap for our exodus out of fear and our arrival at promised serenity. We must have Courage in our God, for this is where we find a small pocket or a tiny island of tranquility . . . even amidst the trials and darkness that we suffer because of the wicked. When we find ourselves in pain at the hand of evil, we must take courage and seek justice in order to arrive at peace.
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