Reading: Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
(Verses 1-5)
My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship (NIV).
Reflection
Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen” Cathedral Grove, Vancouver Island, BC — photo by David Kitz
Words of hatred can be devastating. This is especially true when those words come from those we believe to be our friends. This is the situation the psalmist finds himself in. Hear the psalmist’s lament: With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.
There is a deep sense of betrayal in the psalmist’s words. The beginning of this psalm smacks of the Judas kiss. Jesus suffered the hatred and attacks described here. But millions of others have experienced betrayal, false accusations and words of hatred. Daily, children and teens are bullied and harassed at school and online. All too often Tweets and Facebook comments are nothing more than fountains of hate. Mob mentality rules as attacks and insults pile high.
All this reminds me of farm life and the behavior of chickens. Chickens are highly social creatures and early on in their young lives, these birds establish a pecking order. I’m not speaking figuratively. This really happens. The lead bird pecks first at their food and will aggressively exclude others. Those who transgress the established order will find themselves under vicious attack by the leader and other members of the flock. This means exclusion from the food source, but in the worst instances the aggressive chicks will peck the victim to death. Only human intervention can save them.
It’s truly remarkable how human behavior so closely resembles the behavior of chickens. Our classrooms are full of chickens—aggressive chickens establishing their pecking order—and God help the poor child who falls out of favor! As a teacher I have often been a front-seat witness to the bullying that goes on. Intervention is essential or in the worst cases death may result.
Response: Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Show them your love, protection, comfort and mercy. Let compassion reign. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome?
I love the Psalms 
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Yes. I think many of us, at times, have been victims of bullying. I try very hard to remember Jesus who endured the worst of “bullying” yet was able to forgive. It’s not easy but that’s what helps me. Thanks for your wonderful post today.
In such times Jesus truly is our example and our help.
David was being pursued by Saul and Saul is the epitome of envy and jealousy in action. Saul slandered David’s character to others who then, with Saul, went after David to kill him. Only God is our deliverer. I learned this lesson two years ago when I had to care for a family member in hospice. It was rough and it was moment by moment forgiveness and prayer for strength to endure the slanders and hatred. But never have I known God to be so near to me and so attentive to my cries. \o/
(I was bullied as a child, too, and always wondered, Why me? I never wanted to be mean to anyone-I could not understand it then. I think God was finally showing me why-it was envy and jealousy and that produced a mean spiritedness just like it did in Saul)
Those of noble character are often targeted for harassment because others want to drag them down and belittle them. Somehow they think by belittling others they elevate themselves, but God sees all and knows the heart. We lean on Him.