Right now I am reading a book called The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. The novel is set in the middle of the twelfth century where knights, lords, queens kings ruled. The death of a king meant trouble and wars were fought between rivalling families. This psalm and a number of the other psalms that we have read keep making me think of these ancient times. These times were violent and life was incredibly difficult. The church played a huge role in people's lives and yet the majority of the people had no idea what was said during mass. God was mysterious; one who hated sinners and blessed the righteous (v 5-7).
Still, I can't help but be reminded of my naive american lifestyle. There are still places in this world where life is more than difficult. Where war is an every day part of life. What would these psalms say to those people? Will they feel that God is testing them relentlessly from his holy temple or will they feel that God and heaven are mountains to which they can flee? (v1)
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Love that book! One of the ones that really stickss with me.
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