Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.” vss. 3-4
Psalm 123
When we are children we discover that we live in a hierarchical system, and it isn’t long before we figure out our place in that hierarchy. It probably starts in the family and then gets solidified in school experiences, but by the time we’re adults we generally have a good idea of where we stand. We’re always hoping that we can advance in the pecking order of our group, but sometimes we don’t find our place until we’ve been knocked down a peg or two. It’s hard to live in that sort of system, especially if we believe, rightly or wrongly, that we’re among the bottom dwellers. Our psalmist was definitely praying from that perspective–and he was tired of the scorn and the contempt he felt at the hands of the wealthy and proud. While we might identify with the psalmist’s feeling and prayer, this should never be the experience of those who are in a community of faith that is based on the teachings of Jesus. No one of us deserves more honor than any other, and blessed are those congregations where society’s misfits are lifted up and given their due respect and honor.
Thought for the Day: Where am I in the social hierarchy of my community?
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