Psalm Meditation 558
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany
February 27, 2011

Psalm 36
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
(NRSV)

I find it interesting that we are so quick to assume the worst from those with whom we disagree. In this case, the psalmist knows that the wicked spend long hours plotting and planning their evil deeds. The wicked also are aware of the wickedness of their actions and they do it anyway. I have become convinced that no sane person sees themselves as evil. We find ways to justify our behavior so that, at the very least, our actions are misunderstood when bad things happen because of our own actions. Our evil is seen through a different and more forgiving filter than their evil.

Whether our evil is unintentional or plotted out, the steadfast love of God reaches us. The love of God can bring us an awareness of how our actions may have affected others in ways we did not intend. It may even make it possible for us to un-demonize some of the folks against whom we were so quick to act The love of God is higher, deeper and wider than our ability to comprehend. We might even discover that the folks we brand as evil see us in the same way for any number of reasons. The expanse of God’s steadfast love can give us a broader view of humanity as we act and react in concert with one another.

The love of God is more inclusive than we want it to be. “All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Some folks are aware of the welcome available at God’s table and join in the feast of abundance and delight. Others are aware that the banquet is going on without ever knowing that they are welcome to join. Still others are not aware of the banquet, let alone being aware of the welcome that awaits.

February 21, 2011