My first reaction to reading this Psalm is well… uhh.. can I draw a different one? You don’t see verses like “… let them perish in disgrace” on coffee mugs. In this Psalm the author Asaph calls for utter destruction of the enemies of God’s people; and, while it is dark and more challenging to digest, the Psalmist displays tremendous faith and magnifies the Lord.
The first verse is powerful: “O God, do not keep silence, do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” It is a fervent petition, trusting an all powerful God who can act. In verses 9-12 the author recalls when the Lord helped Gideon defeat deadly enemies who were far superior from a human perspective. Vs 16-19 end the Psalm with authors goal for the enemies defeat: “that they may seek your name, O Lord… that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth”
This Psalm is timely as the the nation of Israel is under deadly attack. I cannot fathom what it is like to live in this agony/turmoil. We can take the fervency of the Psalmist and cry out to the Lord to act and for peace. While it can feel trivial compared to those in physical danger, there is also a daily spiritual battle over our anxious souls. I hope we can find that the Lord alone is in control, “the Most High over all the Earth,” and our greatest good and joy comes from seeking his name.
Maria N.