Honestly

Psalm 54

Psalm 53 is almost identical to Psalm 14.

We might not regard Psalm 54 as one of the noblest of expressions in Scripture. But then, we are in the Psalms, and they are full of raw honesty. What point is there in being otherwise before the Lord?

That honesty is combined with a sense of being part of a community and its history with God. It comes with the very calling upon the power of ‘the name’ (verse 1). Within the apparent selfishness of verse 5, there may be the recollection that God is a God of justice and has shown that in the history of his people. Even in the prayer of recoiling of evil on his enemies, there may at least be the recognition of a God who is not far off, but who intervenes and acts in the midst of history and our personal stories.

Prayer:
Lord, in the light of your Son’s revelation, I might question the Psalmist’s prayer concerning his enemies. But am I so different? Thank you that your Son showed a higher way, a generosity of spirit that becomes possible with the gift of your Holy Spirit. Refining my view of others, give me something of the Psalmist’s sense of expectancy of your intervention in everyday life. Through Christ. Amen.