12 | So then, these are the wicked; * always at ease, they increase their wealth. |
13 | In vain have I kept my heart clean, * and washed my hands in innocence. |
14 | I have been afflicted all day long, * and punished every morning. |
15 | Had I gone on speaking this way, * I should have betrayed the generation of your children. |
16 | When I tried to understand these things, * it was too hard for me; |
17 | Until I entered the sanctuary of God * and discerned the end of the wicked. |
18 | Surely, you set them in slippery places; * you cast them down in ruin. |
19 | Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, * come to an end, and perish from terror! |
20 | Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, * when you arise you will make their image vanish. |
21 | When my mind became embittered, * I was sorely wounded in my heart. |
22 | I was stupid and had no understanding; * I was like a brute beast in your presence. |
23 | Yet I am always with you; * you hold me by my right hand. |
24 | You will guide me by your counsel, * and afterwards receive me with glory. |
25 | Whom have I in heaven but you? * and having you I desire nothing upon earth. |
26 | Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, * God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. |
27 | Truly, those who forsake you will perish; * you destroy all who are unfaithful. |
28 | But it is good for me to be near God; * I have made the Lord GOD my refuge. |
29 | I will speak of all your works * in the gates of the city of Zion. |
1 comment:
Here is why I like this psalm: it is about worship, preaching, and depression. It's about me.
vs. 1-9: it seems like everybody else is better off than me. I want to be like those who aren’t sensitive and who don’t mind if they hurt someone. They are strong. I am weak.
vs. 10-12: everybody admires them, even though they hurt them. They are well loved, despite their pride.
vs. 13-14: I’m stupidly trying to do the right thing and I get hurt for it. I am worse off for it! I’m so freaking depressed.
vs. 15: but if I really believe what I’m thinking, I’m going to be a sucky preacher.
vs. 16-20: so I went to worship, and there I found the truth: that the world is upside down, and the liturgy shows us the world as it truly is.
vs. 21-25: all those things I said before, when I was depressed, were ignorant. I only need God’s approval and love. Nothing else is needed for my happiness.
vs. 26-29: no matter how bad things get, my weakness can rest in God’s strength. No matter how bad other people are to me, I can leave them to God, they are in God’s hands. And I can declare the love and protection of my Mother in Heaven – and my preaching won’t suck anymore.
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