Psalm 34: 2-3, 16-21
For the third Sunday in a row, our responsorial psalm is from Psalm 34, the hymn of praise written by David in gratitude for God’s deliverance from danger as King Saul sought his life.
Today’s responsorial is from the third part of the psalm, which contrasts the fate of the wicked with the security of the righteous.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
As before, our passage begins with an expression of praise of God and an acknowledgment of the appropriateness of blessing God. This praise probably takes place in some kind of liturgical setting, for it is heard by the lowly (’ănāwîm), those who live in trust and dependence on the LORD.
The LORD has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
The contrast between the just and the wicked is clearly drawn. God favors the righteous; their cries for help will be heard. The wicked will experience God’s hostility in the worst possible way: all memory of them will be destroyed, as though they never existed.
For the ancient Israelites, who lacked clear teaching about any afterlife, the fate of being forgotten would have been terrifying.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. He is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Righteous people suffer, but they turn to God in their pain and misery. Whether they are rescued from their affliction or not, they stand under the promise of God’s loving presence.
Many are the troubles of the just one, but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
Not only do righteous people suffer, sometimes it seems that they suffer precisely because they are righteous.
God promises to deliver them from all their afflictions.
He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.
The response’s final statement of faith characterizes God as a vigilant protector of the righteous, watching over them lest they be harmed in any way.
The imagery of bones represents a person’s essential structure and integrity. By stating that “not one of them is broken,” the verse emphasizes God’s complete and meticulous care for the righteous. God provides comprehensive protection, even over the most vulnerable aspects of a person’s life.
Sunday Readings 