Читать книгу Reflections on the Psalms - Steven Croft - Страница 21

Why stand so far off, O Lord?Why hide yourself in time of trouble?

‘… forget not the poor’ (v.12)

There are two questions posed in this psalm. We know the answer to one; we don’t know the answer to the other.

The question to which we have an answer is: how do people get away with exploiting those who are poor? (v.2). It happens because the rules for trade between rich countries and poor countries have largely been set by the rich ones, who have most of the power. It’s sobering to realize that the psalmist describes us who benefit from the unjust ways of the world’s economics as ‘wicked’. But it only requires one glance at the adverts that drive our media to confirm that we are people inclined to ‘boast of [our] heart’s desire’ (v.3).

The question to which we don’t have an answer is: why doesn’t God intervene to stop injustice? (v.1). The writers of the Bible wrestled with this as much as we do. The psalm doesn’t give an explanation, but it does show us how to pray on behalf of the world’s poorest people. We start by acknowledging that we need God, because he is able to do things we cannot (‘Arise O Lord God’, v.12). We ask God to take the world’s ‘trouble and misery’ into his hands, knowing that this is something he longs to do (v.14). And we pray in confidence that the final destiny of creation is for God to take control and restore justice ‘for ever and ever’ (v.17).

Reflection by Peter Graystone

Refrain:

You, Lord, have never failed those who seek you.

Prayer:

When wickedness triumphs

and the poor are betrayed,

come to your kingdom, strong and holy God,

destroy the masks of evil

and reign in our broken hearts;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.