It
strikes me how in this and other Psalms, and elsewhere in the Old Testament,
the greatest threat we face alongside our own weaknesses is the enmity of our
fellow human beings - rather than natural disasters, famine or the dangers of
the wilderness. The latter especially are easy to overestimate, as when in
Genesis Jacob supposes a wild beast has devoured his son Joseph whereas it is Joseph’s
own brothers who have turned against him.
In this Psalm the psalmist's enemies are "numerous" and hate him "fiercely". It is by fearing and trusting God and walking in the paths of His teachings that we overcome distress and find refuge.
In this light it becomes clear how Jesus' injunction to seek reconciliation with our brothers lies at the core of the work to build God's Kingdom. This Lent, as we throw out what we don't need, let us also let go of the grudges that hamper our relationships, and work for harmony and inclusion in our communities.
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