The Throne of Woes

Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who contrive mischief by statute?

✙ Ps 94:20 ✙

Since כִּסֵּא means throne and not ruler, I think the Hebrew of today's verse could be rendered this way: Can the throne of woes—where injustice is crafted into law—partner with you? And that's a question we really need to be asking right now. Under cover of darkness and hidden deep in unrelated legislation, our leaders contrive to strip the needy of what little they have in order to reward their rich benefactors. Though this might be what legislators have done for centuries, in our country those doing it claim not only that they're doing God's will, but that their opponents are God's enemies.

Psalm 94:20 is intended to be a rhetorical question in the Bible, but my countrymen and -women seem to be confused about what God's intentions are toward the poor, the foreigner, the elderly, and the child. It's time to ask this question of our own government, and to give a biblical answer: No, a seat of government where injustice is enshrined in law cannot be God's partner in the service of God's people.

Forgive us, Lord, when we reward the rich at the expense of the poor, and empower the privileged to oppress the weak. Show us what true justice is, and help those of us who claim a lively faith in you to work toward it; in the Name of the One who taught us to pray for the coming of your kingdom: Our Father...