Psalm Meditation 1339 ¶Transfiguration Sunday ¶February 15, 2026 ¶Psalm 64 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2064&version=NRSVUE ¶Research shows that some gossip is good for community building. We say what we know, and conjecture as to what that means in a way that is informative more than malicious. We see that we have little in common with a person or group, without saying that they are bad or evil, simply different. This helps set our alliances, for instance, who we can work with easily, and who will take more patience and openness. There is nothing that says we can’t associate with one of ‘those’ people, only that we will do well to keep our wits about us to keep from giving or taking offense as we work together. ¶“The secret plots of the wicked, … the scheming of evildoers,” are something very different. This is the kind of gossip that is shared with the intention of malice. We revel in finding the weaknesses of the ‘other’ and exploiting them to make a person or group feel out of place and as unwelcome as the community culture will allow. Anyone from ‘our’ group who fraternizes with anyone from ‘their’ group is viewed with suspicion and risks being painted with the same brush as ‘them.’ ¶The psalmist asks to be delivered from the evil type of gossip and scheming. There is also the hope and prayer that God will strike the gossips down with the same barbs they so maliciously wield toward others. It does seem that evil folks do eventually fall on the very evils they used against others. The word folks use these days is ‘karma.’ It is the return of energy expended on others onto the original wielder of that energy. Those who serve in humility may remain in the shadow of others, however, someone notices and is thankful. Those who mock, put down, and oppress others will eventually receive that treatment themselves. “Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him.Let all the upright in heart glory.” ¶February 9, 2026 ¶LCM