In praying the morning prayers of the Church, I have tried to memorize the Psalms of Matins. So far I have only got Psalm 3 (a short one) and Psalm 50 [51] down.
Psalm 3 begins: "O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me. Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God," and goes on with some good ol' smiting: "Arise, O Lord. Save me, O my God. For Thou has smitten all those who without cause are mine enemies. The teeth of sinners hast Thou broken."
For the first time in memory, after yesterday's cyber encounters (with more coming overnight), I sort of got into this Psalm. "That's right, God. Judge those unjust accusers."
What a blessing, then, that my self-pity had to brush up hard against the next Psalm:
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy. According to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine inquity and my sin is ever before me."
It's certainly not wrong to call God to one's defense when one feels unjustly attacked and criticized. But that call for God's assistance must always be prayed in the context of his mercy already shown. I call on God not as one more righteous and noble than my brother, but as a sinner whose struggles are energized by grace.
Posted by Clifton at December 18, 2003 05:52 AM | TrackBack