Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
Next to Psalm 23, this poem is one of the best-loved psalms in the Bible. It's a beautiful hymn of praise to God for his intimate knowledge of and care for us. Much of what we believe about the supreme worth of an individual human life is first expressed here. We aren't just valuable because of what we produce or consume. Neither are we only significant because of our status or position in life, or because we're members of a particular family, tribe or clan. Even the least and lowest of us is created by God out of pure love, known and cherished by him. When we feel alone, overwhelmed or under-valued, this psalm is an extraordinary source of confidence: we can hold our heads up high whatever we face.
So verses 19–22 really jar. 'O God, how I wish that you would kill the wicked! ... How I hate those who hate you!'
They are not just a random interruption, though; we're meant to see them in the context of what we've just read. So the 'wicked' here are those who oppress or demean those who are so wonderfully known and loved by God. In attacking those God created, they are attacking the Creator himself. So violence, bullying, injustice, abuse and neglect are not just offences against people: they offend God, who made us and knows us so deeply.
'If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.' God, thank you for creating me and loving me just as I am.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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