Entering the gates of Jerusalem, the pilgrim now enters with a changed life. The psalm begins in the place God's people often found (and find) themselves in- the place of the oppressed. The situation is grim, with the oppressors seemingly having the upper hand. However, God's faithfulness shines through and the captives are freed. It is (again) interesting to note God's faithful care for the oppressed and beaten-down of society. How often our Christian love does not extend the same way Christ's love does!
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The interesting transition is the second half of the psalm. The curse. The psalmist wants those who are the oppressors to be destroyed. Certainly, one can sympathize with the sentiment. When someone wrongs you, it is natural (although fallen) to desire some kind of revenge. With his or her words, the psalmist withholds God's blessing from the people who wronged him. Huckabee's words responding to the death of Osama bin Laden (Welcome to hell) certainly echo this tone.
Yet, as one who reads the wider narrative of God in the Bible, I am reminded that our battle (according to Paul) is not about fighting flesh and blood but about powers and principalities. How many times in world history has one empire fallen just to give rise to a new one? It isn't "the oppressor" that God opposes- it is oppression. So let us be people who seek oppression to be lifted and to celebrate when people are freed. Check out this news story if you want something to celebrate.
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