Psalms Songs of Justice

August 9th: Psalms Songs of Justice

August 9th - Psalms Songs of Justice

The psalms were not all written by King David even though his name was given to them. They were poems composed by prayerful pilgrims who would hire a musician to set the words to music and sing them as the author came into the temple to make an offering. We have lost the musical notes, but the words still haunt us as prayers of the heart and a great many of them are about justice and addressing injustice. - Teresita Scully, MTS

In the Psalms we are made aware of how important justice/righteousness is to God. In the Bible we are made aware that He will treat us justly and righteously.

We can read the foundational guidelines for living, not just in the Psalms, but throughout the Bible.

1. God’s Justice: God is righteous and just:

• Psalm 85:11 declares, “Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven

• Psalm 89:14 states, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne”

• Psalm 99:4 declares, "Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity.”

2. Justice: Individual responsibility:

• Psalm 15: 1. Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? 2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; 3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; 4 who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts and does not change their mind; 5 who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

• Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

One of 10 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching discusses the “Common Good.”

• “We must all consider the good of others, and the good of the whole human family, in organizing our society—economically, politically, and legally. Human Dignity can only

be realized and protected through our relationship with society-at-large. We must love our neighbor, locally and globally, and prioritize the good of the human family over

commercial interests.”

“God intended the Earth with everything contained in it for the use of all human beings and peoples. Thus, under the leadership of justice and in the company of charity, created goods should be in abundance for all in like manner.”

—Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, 69 Read more here: (Pastoral Constitution

On The Church In The Modern World)

Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1931 Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that "everyone should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as 'another self,' above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity." 37 No legislation could by itself do away with the fears, prejudices, and attitudes of pride and selfishness which obstruct the establishment of truly fraternal societies. Such behavior will cease only through the charity that finds in every man a "neighbor," a brother.

I encourage you to watch the video here