For those who may not know, I am a percussionist. While I primarily play the drum set, I also play other percussion instruments both here at Eastbrook and at school, particularly timpani. A part of being a percussionist is to take care of the instruments I use, and I can get angry at those who fail to respect the instruments. Back in the fall, I went to campus for a concert, and walked in to find out that people from a concert the previous night had stacked our timpani on top of each other. I was furious, not just because the instruments I enjoyed playing had potentially been damaged, but also because I felt that I, the percussion section, and the entire band had been disrespected.
When David wrote Psalm 34, a myriad of emotions must have been going through his mind. Having fled the wrath of a jealous Saul, he was now forced to fake insanity to avoid the vengeance of the Philistines among whom he temporarily sought refuge. Both Saul and the Philistines in their own ways stood opposed to God and in the process harmed the people of Israel. As the Lord’s anointed, David became a target for both.
Psalm 34 is primarily a song of thankfulness for God’s power to deliver, but as uncomfortable as it might make us, there is also praise for God’s acts of justice: “but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth…Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned” (Psalm 34:15, 21). For David, God’s deliverance in this moment meant confronting those who disrespected God, went after him as the Lord’s anointed, and whether through malice or negligence, harmed Israel.
In this season of Lent, even as we remember and celebrate God’s love, we must also remember and grapple with His wrath. Going back to my situation, one of the performers from the night before is a good friend, so when I sent an email to resolve the situation, both justified anger and love for my friend guided my actions. Likewise, when God sent His Son for us, it was both out of righteous anger at our sin and His love for us, so we could be reconciled to Him. Considering His justice and mercy, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3).
For Reflection:
- Have you ever had to balance justified anger and love when dealing with a friend, family member or coworker? How did you manage the situation? How does this help you understand God’s heart towards us as His people?
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