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Vacillation

             Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

            How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?  Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Ofer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.

             Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4)

 

            This song is another of those King David wrote, with his characteristic swing of emotions and audiences. He starts crying for help in what might be short enough to be a chorus. Then, he spends a verse scolding those who are attacking him. Finally, he asks for blessing and safety for the “many” and for himself.

            A book I read a long time ago – possibly Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus – said that men vacillate between in and out, while women vacillate between up and down. Putting aside the current political rhetoric, the point is that people vacillate. One moment, they’re one way. The next, they’re not, or they’re the opposite. For David, or us, to swerve from “Help!” to “Get’em and shatter their teeth,” to “You’re a great God,” to “bless Your people” as if we’re a ball in an old-fashioned pinball game is a sign of humanity.

            What is more important than the number of changes of direction in David’s songs or out thinking is where we end up. In David’s case, he ends up praying for the prosperity of the people around him and for his joy at their prosperity, then, almost as an afterthought, responds to what he prayed at the beginning. He goes from “Help” to “You are my source of help – even if it isn’t here yet.” And on the way, he seeks the well-being of others. If only we could pray so well.

 

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