Psalm 59 - Profanities

Psalm 59:1-4, 11-12, 14-17 NIV

Deliver me from my enemies, O God; 

be my fortress against those who are attacking me. 

Deliver me from evildoers and save me 

from those who are after my blood. 

See how they lie in wait for me! 

Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord. 

I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. 

Arise to help me; look on my plight!

But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. 

In your might uproot them and bring them down. 

For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, 

let them be caught in their pride, 

for the curses and lies they utter consume them...

They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 

They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. 

But I will sing of your strength, 

in the morning I will sing of your love; 

for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; 

you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 59 is yet another psalm praying for justice against one's enemies. In this case there are threats and curses. While the psalmist says his enemies want his blood, they seem to be outside the city walls of Jerusalem hurling insults, threats and profanities.

Our society has grown increasingly obscene. When I was a child our tv programs never had any profanities I can remember. But then in the eighties it seemed like Hollywood's definition for drama was a foul mouth. There was hardly a movie that wasn't laced with filthy language. We seem to have moved beyond the shear volume of obscene language in current films, but our television programs are now using profane language. It's like we're so used to hearing it, we don't even blink an eye.

I doubt that King David, or whoever wrote this psalm, is talking about the kind of profane language we use in America. More likely they were cursing the God of Israel. More likely they were calling down curses upon David and the people of Jerusalem in the name of their own gods.

Christians today have enemies. Those who live by and promote the gospel always have. The gospel is offensive. It says that all of us are sinners. Most of us are not happy to hear that. Most of us don't want to change our sinful ways. We like our sins. In some foreign countries Christians are physically harassed and sometimes tortured or murdered because of their faith.

I don't know how you read this psalm. I can't help but think of Christians in countries where they are being oppressed, persecuted, tortured, imprisoned, and executed, and how they might read this psalm.

Several times the writer refers to God as his fortress. Christians today don't have the luxury of a walled city protecting them like Jerusalem did. They must seek shelter in the God who loves them and provides for them. Yes, some of them die. But we all know that death is not the last word. Death did not stop Jesus Christ! And death will not stop those who call upon the name of the Lord!

When you are threatened by curses, when you are surrounded by hostile people who shout obscenities, remember God your fortress. Let their profanities bounce off the protective walls God gives your heart and mind. Trust in God's strength. Let God's strength become your strength. While others shout profanities, you sing praises to God.