Vindicate me, Lord!
Despite all our technological advances, not much has changed since ancient times when it comes to how the strong treat the weak. Thankfully, God is as committed as ever to righting all wrongs.
A prayer of David.
1 Hear my plea for vindication, YHWH.
Listen to my appeal.
Pay attention to my prayer
uttered without a word of a lie.
2 It’s your verdict I await
for you see what’s right.
3 If you examine my heart
catching me unawares at night
you’ll find nothing amiss.
I’ve determined not to sin
in anything I say.
4 Despite what others do
I’ve obeyed your word
resolutely avoiding the plunderer’s path.
5 My steps have held to your path—
my feet haven’t faltered.
6 I call on you, God
for you will answer me.
Bend down and hear the words I pray.
7 Reveal the wonder of your lovingkindness
you who powerfully deliver
all who seek refuge from their enemies in you.
8 Guard me like the apple of your eye
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
9 Protect me from the wicked who ravage me
these brutal enemies surrounding me.
10 They’ve become rebellious
and speak arrogantly.
11 Having tracked me down
they now hem me in
and look for a way to hurl me to the ground
12 like a lion eager to rip me apart
a powerful lion crouching in ambush.
13 Rise up, YHWH!
Attack them and take them down!
Wield your sword to save me from the wicked.
14 Rescue me by your strong hand, YHWH.
Destroy those who look to this world
for their reward.
Give them their bellies-full
of what you’ve stored up for them—
enough so their kids all get plenty
and their grandkids get in on the leftovers.
15 When you vindicate me
I’ll behold your face.
I’ll be satisfied when I awaken
to the sight of your glorious face.
Behind this plea for justice is the idea of mutual obligation seen in the previous psalm and going right back to God’s covenant with Abraham, where God promised to bless and care for those who obey him. Formidable enemies have accused David of crimes that would cost him his life, such as treason against King Saul. Like a powerful lion, they want to devour him.
David appeals to heaven’s high court because he’s not guilty, and he’s clearly not finding justice down here. Thankfully, God, who is just and compassionate, sees all. And his verdict is final. So David asks God to examine him thoroughly—even to surprise him, examine him when impression management is out of the question. He wants just one thing to come out: the truth.
Then in language that evokes the Exodus, David prays for vindication, deliverance, and judgment on his enemies. As with Israel at the Red Sea, powerful enemies have tracked him down, cornered him, and are about to destroy him. His only hope is the God who delivers all the oppressed who seek shelter in him. David cries out to him, fully convinced that—as in the Exodus—God’s face will shine on him at the break of day and YHWH will prove to be all he needs and more.
Prayer:
Jesus, you don’t tolerate slander or oppressive lies because they destroy not just the weak, but the strong too. You suffered the brunt of such falsehood so that you could vindicate, deliver, and richly bless your poor and judge their enemies. Smile on us, I pray. Amen.
During your free moments today, meditate on these words:
When you vindicate me
I’ll behold your face.
I’ll be satisfied when I awaken
to the sight of your glorious face.
