Psalm 17 - A prayer for those suffering under injustice





Lord, this psalm is a cry of Ukraine today (and for the last several months).  It's definitely the cry of Tyre Nichols mother and a community fearful if they will be the next one pulled over and beaten.  And, it's a cry for all who have and are suffering unjustly. This is a psalm about suffering under injustice. And while it looks like David is saying that he is sinless, he seems to be saying that he has done nothing to deserve to be hunted like a wild animal. And so, I pray this psalm today in solidarity with those in our country who have suffered and continue to suffer unjustly, along with praying this for/with the Ukrainians.


God, why are you acting unjustly by allowing the innocent to suffer at the hands of the powerful? Please hear the prayer of those calling out to you in their pain. God, vindicate the innocent (v. 1-2).

God, while no one is guiltless, those tortured and killed by the ruthless don’t deserve this (v. 3-5). God, the wicked seem to be winning. This isn’t right. It hasn’t been right in American slavery and Jim Crow laws and redlining and police brutality, and it isn’t right in Ukraine when they are attacked by a power-hungry dictator who cares nothing for the innocent.

God, be the refuge for the innocent. Be their strength. Be their protection. Reveal your love to them. Help them to see how precious you are to them (v. 6-8).

God, rise up and defeat those who hunt down the innocent. God, you have filled the wicked with great wealth. You have allowed them to live in luxury. You have even given them their wealth on the backs of others. They then use their wealth to take advantage of others unjustly. God, this is the epitome of injustice. Break them, God. Confront them. Subdue them (v. 10-14).

And God, thank you that one day everything will be made right. And thank you that we have a promise in v. 15 that even if injustice leads to death, we will awake in your presence and see you face to face. And for that, we wait.

Amen

Comments

  1. Don DinnervilleFebruary 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM

    Amen. And thanks for giving voice to marginalized peoples and addressing such pertinent examples of injustice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2023 at 10:15 AM

    Thanks Don. More to come as well. So many of the psalms speak to injustice.

    ReplyDelete

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