Good Triumphs: A Wisdom Psalm

Text: Psalm 112

Reflection and Question: The Psalmist here seems to live in a parallel universe somewhat like Lake Woebegone, where the good always triumph and the wicked angrily “gnash their teeth and melt away.” This is a Wisdom Psalm written by those steeped in the faith perspective of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes, the Wisdom books of the Bible. They propose the infinitely wide vision in which every happening, no matter how tragic or painful or sad or meaningless, is part of God’s large whole where “the righteous will never be moved.” Do you share the Psalmist’s trust in God?

Prayer: Eternal God, our fear means that we know we are so often in over our heads in this life and need Your help. So often, we confess, we see only the injustice and hurt where the wicked prevail. Steady our hearts that we may not be afraid. 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).