The Psalms and Me

Every time I read the Psalms:

Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications!

“Oh, maybe this will be a nice verse to uplift my friend!”

For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me.

“Yes! I’ll bet this message will really resonate with my friend! Sometimes we all feel downtrodden.”

Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails; Do not hide Your face from me, Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.

“Yes! When we are at our lowest, we should run to God!”

And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my soul

“Um… David? We cool, bro?”

Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity.

“Hey… I don’t know if I meant all that…”

Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.

Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more

Deal with them as You did with Midian, […] they became manure for the ground

“Hold on, there, man! Let’s not get too crazy…”

How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock.

sigh

“Come on, David. Things were going so well. I mean, sure: you murdered a man to cover up the fact that you impregnated his wife… but you were sorry, right?”

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.

“See? There. That’s more like it…”

O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.

“No! Bad David! No biscuit!”

…

“Whatcha got for me, Jesus?”

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

“Aw, yeah. That’s the stuff.”

“David, have you met this guy? I think you should probably meet this guy.”