Psalm Meditation 1222 ¶Proper 28 ¶November 19, 2023 ¶Psalm 76 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+76&version=NRSVUE (NRSV) ¶There is something powerful about anger, especially when we can call it righteous indignation. Righteous anger is both good and justifiable. When God is acting in righteous indignation we know that the focus of God’s anger is really going to get it, and is really going to deserve it. We like the image of the protagonist, God in this case, striding into the conflict slashing all those who deserve it while protecting and rescuing all the innocents and underdogs caught up in this mortal combat. ¶Is that really the God we want? The one who holds in the wrath and rage until it breaks free and wreaks havoc on all the bad guys while leaving the good people stunned, afraid, and maybe a little excited that our God can wipe the ground with our enemies. My preference is for one who can stop the conflict with a word. If the word does not put a stop to the conflict, I want a God who is willing to be the sacrifice that draws us all up short. The one whose sacrifice draws all sides to stop in horror at what we have done to each other. ¶These war psalms are a great adrenaline rush as we watch YHWH vanquish our foes, leaving us to praise God for this decisive victory on our behalf. God is not content with the short, violent resolution. God is more intent on the long view, what it takes to get every side to see others as persons of sacred worth. We can let our hearts thrill, and our pulses quicken with this view of a warrior God, however, it is not the God of Scripture or experience. YHWH is the God who uses anger as an energizer for healing our hurts. ¶November 13, 2023 ¶LCM