Reflection

Although short in length, today’s Psalm is the last of four Psalms written by David in this series of ‘pilgrimage’ songs, sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for one of the festivals.

Some commentators, far more experienced than myself, assert that this Psalm was written at the time when David was crowned king after so many years of turmoil and conflict. It was a cry for unity and peace.

My father was a politician of some note in Queensland many years ago, so he passed on a rather dubious habit of reading the news daily. I sometimes end up closing the webpage of the news outlet I am reading, which is a ‘sigh of pain’ to my soul. The stories of conflict, war, unrest, contention, hostility and animosity rage across news pages. It seems to be common in all spheres of the community. I don’t feel anger at this contradistinction but a genuine sorrow in the very depths of my heart. Trouble grips my very being, and I long for the pleasantness of unity and harmony.

It is then that I understand, to some extent, how David felt when he penned this Psalm after years of conflict. His desire for unity, peace and harmony manifested itself in this outpouring of his soul for a future that is characterised by all of God’s people living together in unity.

What a way to finish this series! A cry for unity, harmony and peace to reign in people everywhere. Peace instead of conflict, love instead of hate, tolerance instead of rejection, grace instead of unforgiveness and mercy instead of cruelty – could these virtues reflect the values of a truly civil and harmonious society?

It is no wonder David wrote this psalm to remind everyone ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.’

Prayer

Lord, I pray today for your people to live in unity. Let there be peace instead of conflict, love instead of hate, tolerance instead of rejection, grace instead of unforgiveness and mercy instead of cruelty. Oh my God, may love prevail in all circumstances where conflict seeks to reign. Let me be someone who doesn’t just pray about peace and harmony, but actively seeks to live in unity and harmony with my neighbours.