Читать книгу The Psalms - Herbert O'Driscoll - Страница 28

Psalm 21

The king puts his trust in the Lord;

because of the loving-kindness of the Most High,

he will not fall.

Near the climax of the process that brought about the resignation of Richard Nixon, the American president went on television flanked by a large and prominent presidential seal. In his speech he implied that, if his honour were impugned, the presidency itself would be irreparably damaged.

The office may well have been damaged but, it would seem, not irreparably so. At the time, great fears were expressed about this possibility. Perhaps the reason why the presidency as an institution proved so resilient lies far back in time and may even be expressed in this psalm.

The psalm begins with what at first glance is a seemingly endless succession of sycophantic praises of those in power at the time. The singer offers what he knows will please the royal ears. There will be, and already are, “blessings of prosperity.” The ruler’s “honour is great.” He appears with “splendour and majesty.” Here is a polished palace courtier, a singer bound for high places through assured and well-earned royal patronage.

A more careful reading, however, shows us a different reality. The psalm does begin with a direct focus on the person of the king, but in almost every verse the focus swings to God. The king rejoices and exults, not in his own victory but that of God.

God is the source of the “heart’s desire” of the king. His blessings and his crown are the gift of God. Any future victories will depend on the king’s “trust in the Lord.” The verses toward the end of the psalm begin with “you” and “your,” each time referring to God. In the last poetic flourish, it is not the king who is to be exalted, but the Lord.

That now historical day, when a president tried to equate his personal worth with the honour of a great office, showed us a truth. It is often forgotten that both those who bear great office, and the office itself, issue from a source beyond themselves. Both are “under God.”

We who are far from being powerful kings and rulers know that this is true of our own lives. All we do and everything we are is “under God.” This is the great reality that gives meaning and purpose to our lives. Thanks be to God.

Recall the goodness of nature—land, water, plants, animals. Recall the wonder of the universe—matter, energy, light, consciousness. Recall the love of people—family, friends, associates, others. Pray that you, and all people, may seek and find God in all creation.