Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-106 Sunday 10 Jun 2001

Reading: PSALM 64 – THE POWER OF WORDS

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

‘Lord, you are the Word who became flesh. Give reality and substance to my words today.’

We live in an age where wordsmiths dominate our culture. The economies of nations can rise and fall on the whim of banks, investment houses and seats of power. ‘Read my lips,’ say the politicians, who then proceed to dream up empty words, instead of acting to help their people.

The media, too, claim to inform but all too often misinform, and we are often unaware of the extent to which we are being manipulated by visual images and persuasive language rather than by biblical principles. Even the church has not escaped the downside of information technology.

In this psalm David cries to the Lord for protection from enemies who are experts in manipulating words (vs 2-6). They conspire together, shout inflammatory slogans in the streets and threaten violence with their venomous words. They hatch unjust conspiracies, quite certain that no one will find them out. ‘This is a perfect crime’, they say.

Yet, ‘the Detective detects the mystery in the dark of the cellar heart,’ as Peterson expresses it (Psalm 64:6c, The Message).

God hears their life-slaying words, and their own tongues will be the cause of their downfall (v 8).

The difference between these wordsmiths and God is that God does not use words to make empty promises. He acts to save the righteous from the ‘spin doctors’. Thus the fearful supplicant at the beginning of this psalm, is now an exalting victor, rallying one and all to praise God.

In this age of chatter and hype, it is all too easy for those who make the most noise to frighten and entrap the powerless. We need to know when lies are being peddled. And like the psalmist, have the courage to expose them.

‘Lord, let me not live comfortably with half-lies, distortions or flattery. May my words honour you, uplift my loved ones and bring healing to my neighbours today. Amen.’

– Evelyn Miranda-Feliciano

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001