God, Enemies and Ourselves

Text: Psalm 5

Reflection and Question: The distinctions are stark in this Psalm between the speaker, on the one hand, who claims God’s favor as one who is righteous and privileged to enter God’s house and receive God’s protection. On the other hand, there is the wickedness of the evil ones who boast and speak lies, whose “throats are open graves.” If it is true, as the saying goes, that “the line between good and evil runs through every heart,” we must place ourselves in the shoes of both the righteous and the wicked. How, then, does Jesus’ teaching, “Love your enemies” apply to this Psalm?

Prayer: Dear God, through the abundance of your steadfast love, I will enter Your house and bow down toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O God, in Your righteousness and make Your way straight before me. Let all who take refuge in You rejoice. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).