Psalm 7
"they will tear me like a lion, ripping me apart"
What strikes you forcibly as a regular reader of the psalms is the social antagonism, conflict, and hostility. There is, of course, a long and venerable tradition of spiritualizing this conflict when reading the psalms. Instead of being attacked by human beings, we are spiritually attacked by Satan. And while that is certainly true, and a good way to navigate the imprecatory psalms, the psalms are talking about human enemies and opponents.
I find that comforting.
Because I bet you've been ripped apart by lions. I expect you have stories to share about when you were unfairly attacked. Times when you had to endure an onslaught of hostility. You have scars to show.
And while we have to take care to not meet hate with hate, we do need to survive these seasons. We need someone to see our pain, someone to take our side in the matter. Feeling alone and misunderstood during a time of stressful conflict is a brutal, demoralizing experience. But take hope: the psalms see you. Social isolation and conflict is one of the biggest themes in these songs. Relationships are hard and often wounding, and the psalms are filled with this recognition.
It's seems obvious to me that even though it's nearly impossible to ask of anyone, the Christian response to being torn apart by a lion, or a gossip, or an anti-Christian culture is going to be to pray for our enemies and bless those that curse us. However, the impulse is often to be like Peter--standing up for Jesus and chopping off ears as we do it.
Yes.
I'm mostly serious when I tell people that my goal as a songwriter is to write "psalms." To me, they are rawest of scripture, and the most human. I flat out stole a chorus from Psalm 143 - in a song I regularly introduce as inspired by both Paul Westerberg and King David.
Every once in a while a friend of mine expresses a dislike for the complicated spirituality of some of writing. And nearly every time I respond with, "do you read the psalms?" They are, as they say, "real talk."