Psalm Meditation 886
Trinity Sunday
June 11, 2017

Psalm 20
1 The LORD answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.
7 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright.
9 Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call.
(NRSV)

There are lots of ways to get into the ‘my dad can beat up your dad’ argument. We can argue that my dad is stronger, or smarter, or richer, or faster, or more experienced, or better at this or that. We can make the same arguments about our mothers, and siblings, and aunts and uncles. In some circles we can make the argument about deities. The reasoning behind the arguments is the claim to a champion, one who will stand with us, even stand up for us, in every situation in which we may find ourselves.

The psalmist points out that in a match-up between armaments our God is stronger than any weapon of war. While chariots and horses, guns and bombs can kill people in large numbers, God can save people in unprecedented numbers. It may be good to be able to beat up the bad guys and that is what the psalmist is asking God to do. It is also good to see the power of God at work in bringing enemies to the point of seeing a common humanity that draws us to live and work together with differences and similarities intact and appreciated.

Yes, the psalmist is asking for a military victory for us, the good guys. It is possible for us to read this as a reminder that God is neither as parochial nor mean spirited as we can be. God may well be calling us to rise and stand upright as our hearts long for victory in the name of God. Victory based in mercy, love, and justice more than in brute force.

June 5, 2017
LCM