Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Psalm 82

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?

Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.

Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I say, “You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;

nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.”

Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you! (NRSV)

Reflection
As someone who has lived her whole life in a monotheistic culture, I tend to get a little twitchy when I see God looped in with “gods,” as in verse 1 of Psalm 82: God presides in the great assembly; God renders judgment among the “gods.” Then I remind myself that the original audience for this text was people living in a polytheistic culture, and I begin to stop twitching as I let the words wash over me.

Verse 1 is a reminder to all of us that God reigns over all of creation and God’s justice will prevail over all. The psalmist recounts all the shortcomings of those “gods” and informs them that their predisposition toward the wicked will be their downfall. They (“gods”) will no longer be immortal but shall die as mortals, like those they have forgotten or pushed to the margins.

I wonder if for us today in 2023, Psalm 82 is admonishing all leaders who have let power and greed keep them perpetuating systemic injustice and corruption.

I wonder, too, if the psalmist is speaking not only to our leaders who have set themselves up as “gods” but also to each one of us who have not and do not speak up against the injustice inherent in our world. When we point the finger at someone else to call them out, there are fingers pointing at us as well.

Prayer
God of love, have mercy on me, for I am a sinner and I often fail to use my voice and your Spirit to speak up for those whom society deems unworthy or useless. I am society, and I am called to live your truth in this world. Please give me the courage to do so this day and all my days. Amen.

Written by Annette Mileski, Director, Center for Life and Learning

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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