Victory cringe.

Consider:

Read:

Psalm 149

Ask:

  • In whom do you take pleasure in your life?

  • On whom do you pray God's vengeance?

  • Psalm 149 contains both prayers of victory and prayers for vengeance.  How does this combination make you feel, particularly when verses 6 and 7 read like this:  

    • 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats
         and two-edged swords in their hands, 
      7 to execute vengeance on the nations
         and punishment on the peoples

  • Does this Psalm read differently from the perspective of oppressed people? How?

Move:

Flip through the Psalms.  Which others contain both positive and cringe-worthy prayers?  Contact your pastor or trusted faith leader and ask them what they do with these Psalms that combine praise with celebrations of violence.

Carl GladstoneComment