Psalm Photos - 82 - Washing
Psalm 82
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
I say, “You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.”
Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you! -----
We have a court setting here in this Psalm today. God is judging the judges. They are judged and they are found wanting. As I read this, I thought of Pilate washing his hands of his actions against Jesus. Pilate had the opportunity to step in and make a difference with the accusations against Jesus, but he chose not. He chose to just keep the peace and not make waves. Pilate instead chose to just wash his hands of the whole affair. How often do we do the same? I know I do far too often - choose to look the other way, not make waves, keep "the peace." Yet, as a friend of mine called us to prayer the other day - God, disquiet us. Stir the waters. Make waves. Make them in me Lord. Make them in us.