From beginning to end, this psalm expresses unabashed confidence in God. This does not mean, however, that everything was going smoothly. The situation was so bad that the psalmist’s friends urged him to flee to the mountain like a bird. These friends describe the dangers threatened by the wicked. They are ready to shoot their arrows at those devoted to God.
But the psalmist looks up to God in his holy temple sitting serenely on his holy throne in heaven. God has his eyes on earth. God sees what is going on. God will not allow evil people to prevail. In fact, it is said that “hates” the lover of violence. “Hate” is a strong word; it means that God will not allow evil people to have their way. The strong language continues: “(God) rains upon the wicked fiery coals and brimstone;/ a burning blast is their allotted cup.” We are reminded of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as described in Genesis 19. The point is that evil brings evil upon itself.
On the other hand, the psalmist expresses confidence in how God will take care of the upright. He knows that God is just, that is, God will always live up to the promises of his covenant. Indeed, “the upright shall see his face.” Sometimes seeing God’s face refers to experiencing God in the temple. At other times, it suggests an intimate relationship with God.
As Christians, we can use this psalm to express our confidence in God when our world seems to be falling apart. We need not run away from life. We need to put our lives in God’s hands. We do more than see the face of God when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
Jesus himself could have used this psalm in the many dangers he faced. He did not flee from the difficulties of life. He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross.
Hilarion Kistner, O.F.M., after ordination in 1955, did further studies in Scripture. He taught Scripture to seminarians for 15 years. He has been editor of Sunday Homily Helps for almost 25 years. blog comments powered by 
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