Thursday, August 15, 2002

A Psalm in lieu of a hymn

One thing of interest in reading the psalms is how often the psalmist speaks to the Lord in a familiar tone, sometimes with an emotion very like anger or resentment, even while praising God. The first line of this psalm is "Why, O Lord , do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" I wonder if our modern sense of decorum, which permits us to sing as though we are God, but does not permit us to be mad at God while still loving Him, is of much worth.

Psalm 10:12-18

12 Arise, Lord ! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
"He won't call me to account"?
14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
you consider it to take it in hand.
The victim commits himself to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man;
call him to account for his wickedness
that would not be found out.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You hear, O Lord , the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

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