Obama Reads the Wrong Psalm
The ten-year anniversary of September 11th is not the day to be partisan. Both Presidents Bush and Obama are sharing the stage at Ground Zero. But I do worry about the message the current president sends in the choice of the psalm he read today. Psalm 46 contains these lines:
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
As I read that wonderful psalm in its present context, I infer an end to having enemies and an end to war. Indeed, the Lord is the actor behind the “desolations of the earth.” But September 11th was a man-made event, perpetuated by men hostile to civilization, hostile to us, and the war on terrorism that keeps us safe is far from over. There are other psalms that might be read on this day that better express the memory of that wicked act and that bid defiance to our enemies—enemies who show no sign of relenting.
From Psalm 3:
Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people.
From Psalm 9:
When my enemies turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging righteousness.
You have rebuked the nations.
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
Which sort of psalm—the pacific or the warlike—does more justice to the memory of the victims of September 11th and to the men and women who have fought to keep our nation safe since then?
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Comments:
Feb '11
Re: Obama Reads the Wrong Psalm
I will side-step your question and say instead that today at Mass, the first reading was the Sirach: "Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance,
for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor's injustice;
then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Could anyone nourish anger against another
and expect healing from the LORD?
Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,
can he seek pardon for his own sins?
If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,
who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days, set enmity aside;
remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor;
remember the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults."
Feb '11
Re: Obama Reads the Wrong Psalm
The Psalm was from 103, in part: "He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion."
And the Gospel was Matthew 18, in which Our Lord teaches us to forgive and forgive and forgive.
Feb '11
Re: Obama Reads the Wrong Psalm
I greatly prefer the King James version of Psalm 46:
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
Whatever one's take on religion, the King James remains arguably the most majestic and powerful work in the English language.
Edited on September 12, 2011 at 12:20amJun '10
Re: Obama Reads the Wrong Psalm
Snow Bird: I greatly prefer the King James version of Psalm 46:
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
Whatever one's take on religion, the King James remains arguably the most majestic and powerful work in the English language. · Sep 11 at 3:15pm
Edited on Sep 11 at 03:20 pm
Snow Bird, this is off-topic, but thank you for your service. My father too was a B-52 navigator. And you are right, some passages just sound better in the KJV.
Aug '10
Re: Obama Reads the Wrong Psalm
Psalm 46 happens to be the Psalm that Colour Sergeant Bourne quotes in the film Zulu as he steadies his heart in preparation for battle. He includes the final stanza and speaks it with great verve.
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us;"
Feb '11
Re: Obama Reads the Wrong Psalm
Jim Chase
Snow Bird, this is off-topic, but thank you for your service. My father too was a B-52 navigator.
The venerable fraternity of the "Black Hole!"