READING THE BOOK OF PSALMS
PART LIII
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Psalms 75, 76, and 77
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Psalms 75, 76, and 77 are psalms “of Asaph,” a Levite and, for a time, the choir director at the Temple in Jerusalem. These texts tell us of characteristics of God, in time and theology:
- God renders justice.
- God is victorious, and resident in Jerusalem.
- God properly inspires awe.
- God is sovereign.
- God has a track record of acting faithfully toward the Chosen People, as in the Exodus from Egypt.
- God’s faithfulness never disappears.
- God is merciful.
- God is compassionate.
Many people consider mercy and compassion to be signs of weakness. They mistake being strong for being a cruel bastard. In contrast, divine strength, mercy, and compassion coexist. Yes, divine rescue of the oppressed may prove most unpleasant for the oppressors. However, even in other circumstances, mercy and compassion flow from strength, just as cruelty flows from weakness and fear. This fear is the fear of what will happen if one ceases to act cruelly. So, cruelty becomes a perverse self-defense mechanism.
Just as God is strong enough to show mercy and compassion, may we mortals also possess such strength, mercy, and compassion.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JANUARY 27, 2023 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS JEROME, PAULA OF ROME, EUSTOCHIUM, BLAESILLA, MARCELLA, AND LEA OF ROME
THE FEAST OF SAINT ANGELA MERICI, FOUNDER OF THE COMPANY OF SAINT URSULA
THE FEAST OF SAINT CAROLINA SANTOCANALE, FOUNDER OF THE CAPUCHIN SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE OF LOURDES
THE FEAST OF CASPAR NEUMANN, GERMAN LUTHERAN MINISTER AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF MARY EVELYN “MEV” PULEO, U.S. ROMAN CATHOLIC PHOTOJOURNALIST AND ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
THE FEAST OF PIERRE BATIFFOL, FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST, HISTORIAN, AND THEOLOGIAN
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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