Tag: psalms

Wicked Songs

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

Spoiler alert: This post has nothing to do with the book, musical or movie, “Wicked.” However, I hope you’ll still take a few minutes to read it.

“Sin lurks deep in the hearts of the wicked, forever urging them on to evil deeds. They have no fear of God to hold them back. Instead, in their conceit, they think they can hide their evil deeds and not get caught. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful…. They lie awake at night to hatch their evil plots…. — Psalm 36:1-4a (The Living Bible)

The Hebrew word ‘rasha’ (an adjective) is used 263 throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, and often is translated like a noun–“the wicked.” The Psalmist David identified this class of people as those who live in rebellion against God’s morals (having no fear of God), and who are corrupt, arrogant, lawless, deceitful, calculating, conniving, self-serving, lying, godless doers of evil. They go about their business as if they are above the law and assume they will never be held accountable for their actions. They slander “the righteous” who live by God’s truth and seek God’s justice, and they oppose any constraints to their unbridled greed. David’s song is honest about the current state of things.

This past year, we have watched “the wicked” hatch their plots, legislate their policies, pilot their projects and post their plans in the middle of night. We have witnessed their cruelty and acts of violence against the innocent. They have enriched themselves at the expense of the poor, the hungry, the infirm and the unhoused. They have done it without any concern for the damage in their wake, and they’ve done it with impunity. Now, a new year has begun, and the wicked seem just as empowered, just as enabled, just as emboldened to continue their brutal assault on anyone and anything that stands in the way of their power play.

Are “the wicked” destined to succeed in their scheming? David also wrote Psalm 37–a song that compares the destiny of “the wicked” with the destiny of “the righteous.” It is a song to sing while “the wicked” appear to be flourishing. “A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” –Psalm 37:10-11 (NIV)

Mary sang a similar song when she announced, “[God] has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.[God] has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” Luke 1:52-53 (NIV)

Then Jesus took up the song of David, quoting Psalm 37:11 on the mountain (Matthew 5) to a weary people, suffering under the oppression of the wicked. The song reminded his followers that “the wicked” have a shelf life and an expiration date. “In a little while” the world will shift, the order of things will be shaken and the “first shall be last” and the “last shall be first.” God’s kingdom will come, and God’s will WILL be done, and earth and heaven will be one.

Now it’s our turn to sing of God’s great day when the world will be turned right side up.. We frequently sing “We are Called.” by David Haas. The final verse calls us to, “Sing! Sing a new song! Sing of that great day when all will be one! God will reign and we’ll walk with each other as sisters and brothers united in love!

. So sing. LOUD! And keep singing. That great day is coming.

The Lie of Inevitability

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

Y’all have heard the quote: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I’ve heard it; I’ve seen it; I’ve affirmed its truth. I’ve also listened to others speak it with a despairing tone. No matter how much we want justice, truth and integrity to thrive, it won’t happen. Those with power will be corrupted. And corruption will ultimately win. It’s too late. There is nothing that can be done about it. It is inevitable.

Psalm 11 is written by David as a response to people who are watching the foundations of the social order crumbling around them. They see what is happening: “The foundations of law and order have collapsed! What can the righteous do?” In their minds, the only option in the face of this inevitable collapse is to find the exit. They say, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!”

But David refuses to flee. He refuses to believe the lie of inevitability and the despair that leads to giving up. He writes: “I trust in the Lord for protection.” David’s not going anywhere. Instead of “flight,” he is going to stick around to “fight”, trusting in the God of justice and righteousness.

Let me go back to the quote ab out corrupting power. When English Catholic historian Lord Dalberg-Acton wrote it in 1887 in a letter to a Bishop , it was not to state the inevitable, but to issue a warning of the dangers of concentrated authority. Power becomes abusive and corrupt when there are no checks, no guardrails, no resistance. Concentrated authority is the problem. Steadfast resistance to autocracy is the solution.

Sherrylin Ifill, a civil rights attorney, writes on her Substack:

Despair and believing that you are powerless is a form of “obeying in advance” which ensures the victory of autocracy. I understand the exhaustion, anger, the feeling of being overwhelmed and the grief that those of us who believe in democracy, equality and justice are experiencing right now. And painful as it is, I have accepted that there are no guarantees that we can overcome all that we are facing. But I do know that unless we fight, we cannot prevail.”

Autocracy wants us to believe that we are powerless. Autocracy thrives on despair. When someone asks, “What can the righteous do?, autocracy is standing behind us, whispering in our ear, “There’s nothing you can do, so do nothing.” But it’s a lie.

What can the righteous do? The are many ways to resist autocracy, but the one way that is available to 100% of us is to raise our voice. Whether it be on the street in non-violent protest or calling our elected representatives and senators to voice our demands as their constituents, our voices can make a difference. Don’t know who represents you? Don’t what to say? 5calls.org is a simple tool to help you speak clearly and simply on issues you care about. I used it today. I encourage you to check it out.

Let’s stand firm in our faith and act for God’s justice. Remember the word of the Psalmist: “The righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see [God’s] face.” (Psalm 11:7)