Read
(A psalm by Asaph.)
Please Do Something, God!
1When all the other gods
have come together,
the Lord God judges them
and says:
2“How long will you
keep judging unfairly
and favoring evil people?
3Be fair to the poor
and to orphans.
Defend the helpless
and everyone in need.
4Rescue the weak and homeless
from the powerful hands
of heartless people.
5“None of you know
or understand a thing.
You live in darkness,
while the foundations
of the earth tremble.
6 “I, the Most High God, say
that all of you are gods
and also my own children.
7But you will die,
just like everyone else,
including powerful rulers.”
8Do something, God!
Judge the nations of the earth;
they belong to you.
Reflect
Attributed to Asaph, one of Israel’s worship leaders, this psalm aches with longing for restoration. In it we hear the voice of a prophet as well as a psalmist.
A prophet’s role was to speak the words of God to the people, especially when there was a cultural sway away from the truth. Often the harshest words were reserved for kings and leaders who abused their power and failed to protect their most vulnerable subjects.
Holy Father, you saw the distress and darkness of our world. In response to our cry you sent One worthy to judge the nations. May we live in the light of his resurrection life and may we have mercy on others as you have had mercy on us. Amen.
The psalm ends with a plea for a saviour to intervene on behalf of his people – for the Messiah. Unlike the earthly “saviours” (either kings or deities), it is implied that he would be all-seeing, he would restore justice and he would not die.
The New Testament gospels introduce John the Baptist, a passionate preacher who, like Asaph, recognized God’s role as judge. He spoke prophetically against extortion and greed and encouraged the people to care for the weak. He was not afraid to confront the regional ruler Herod who used his power for personal gain.
John’s main message however, was that God had answered the prayers of his people and had sent a Saviour, Jesus Christ. The all-powerful One had come and he would reign with justice.
The psalm describes a people living in darkness. John the Baptist pointed to the light – the true light of the world. We are invited into his kingdom of light, to belong to him forever. This is the restoration every heart aches for. This is the answer to our deep longing.
Respond
Holy Father, you saw the distress and darkness of our world. In response to our cry you sent One worthy to judge the nations. May we live in the light of his resurrection life and may we have mercy on others as you have had mercy on us. Amen.
Miriam Wickett
Miriam Wickett works as an occupational therapist in the Greater Vancouver area but has thoroughly enjoyed being the author of daily online prayer compilations on her Blue Stone City site, and collaborating with Scripture Union Canada as a result. She shares a vision for the city with her community at Tenth Church, serving as the refugee support ministry co-ordinator, and spends summers as a volunteer camp director on beautiful Thetis Island, B.C.