A Loss for Words

AM Psalm 41, 52 • PM Psalm 44
Gen. 37:1-11 • 1 Cor. 1:1-19 • Mark 1:1-13

In the second half of our morning reading today we find these words in the first 4 verses of Psalm 52:

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.
Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.
You love evil more than good,
Falsehood more than speaking what is right.

Selah.

Before going on to rip the reader a new one (or at least anyone reading that has not absolutely and totally made God their refuge), the author takes a break. Selah. We’re not quite sure the absolute meaning of that phrase but we know it probably means something like, “pause the music.”

Today as I write these words a single solitary little man in Russia has decided his vain aspirations are more important than the lives of innocent men, women, and children living in Ukraine and throughout the Baltics. Bombs are falling on apartment buildings, newborn babies are huddled by nurses in make shift bomb shelters, and refugees are flowing into nearby countries. They suffer at the hands of those who seem to love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking what is right.

I have no words today. I only pray for Selah. A break. Relief. I hope you join me.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Written by Jonathan Wright

Jonathan is a native of Atlanta, GA and a convert to the Episcopal Church. He enjoys working on creative projects, listening to 60s Motown, spending time with his dog, and geeking out about theology and movies.