Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all humankind.
From where he sits enthroned he watches
all the inhabitants of the earth—
he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
A king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
and by its great might it cannot save.
Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
to deliver their soul from death
and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.
Our heart is glad in him
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
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| Recreation of an Egyptian war chariot from the Early New Kingdom. Based on historical wall paintings, the armor and chariot from Tutankhamun's (r. c.1336-c.1327 BCE) tomb, and illustrations by artist Angus McBride. |
Reflection
Our only hope is in God. It is easier said than followed through with. We do trust in our might.
Deep down we really do think many times that "might makes right." Individual, community, corporate, national and international sins form a mountain in this category!
It also strikes me to the core that the desire to have a military messiah, a powerful leader in strategic or political strength is clearly proclaimed to be the wrong path here in the Psalms. We should have known better when Jesus became flesh and dwelled among us. We need to still remember that "the war horse is a vain hope for victory."
Dear Lord, guide us to trust only in you. Help us to turn aside from our accomplishments or the accolades about any one regular mortal. You alone are worthy of hope and victory in all circumstances. All praise and thanks to you! Amen.
Amen.
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