My God, whom I
praise, do not remain silent (Psalm 109:1).
This is the lament of a man betrayed. Lies, hatred, attacks,
accusations, and double-crosses. And a desperate cry to God: Don’t you turn
your back on me too!
He has been wronged; now he cries out for justice. Let
an accuser [satan] stand at his right hand (v. 6). This man who is
suffering wants his attacker to suffer too. David cries out for this man to
suffer the death penalty in return for the lies he has told about him. May
his children be fatherless and his wife a widow (v. 9). He has never had
the opportunity to hear the teaching of Jesus: You have heard that it was
said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43,44). As George Knight
writes: “We can understand [his thirst for retribution], but we dare not
approve” [1]. Technical obedience to the New Testament teaching: Do not
take revenge (Romans 12:19), doesn’t give us permission to say, “Sic ‘em,
God!”
In contrast to his plea for a satan to stand at his enemy’s right hand (the place of accusation)
[2], we can know, even when God seems silent or distant, that he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save his life from those who condemn him (NIV 1984, v. 31). God
stands by us not to accuse, but to provide encouraging words of love and
support.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Have you ever been falsely
accused – or maybe it wasn’t false – by someone and thought God had forgotten
you? Pray for grace to forgive your accusers without demanding God’s vengeance.
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