Justice for All (Kinnamon Bible Study #3)

Dear DJAN Friends,

The Psalms are both a source of personal comfort and a challenge to enact social justice as followers of the One “who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry . . . sets the prisoners free . . . [and] lifts up those who are bowed down” (Psalm 146:7-8). We see these characteristics linked in our reading for today.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits–

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good as long as you live 

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103:1-8).

Christians have for centuries found inspiration in Psalm 103, one of the great treasures of ancient Hebrew poetry. Notice how the psalm begins with the personal: God is the One who forgives our iniquities and heals our infirmities. In Hebrew scripture, these go together. We are "sick" with sin, a condition "healed" by God's steadfast love. At verse 6, however, the psalm broadens from the personal to the social: God is also the One who is active in the world on behalf of justice for those on the margins, including the enslaved people of ancient Israel. The Psalmist seems to be suggesting that those who know themselves to be the beneficiaries of God's mercy and grace should want to share such abounding love with others by participating in God's mission of justice for all.

May God grant us understanding and commitment.

 Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon