You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent! O Lord, do not be far from me!
Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense, for my cause, my God and my Lord!
Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.
Do not let them say to themselves, “Aha, we have our heart’s desire.” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed you up.”
Let all those who rejoice at my calamity be put to shame and confusion; let those who exalt themselves against me be clothed with shame and dishonor.
Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and be glad, and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant.”
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all day long.
—Psalm 35:22-28
"You have seen..." When the ungodly look, what they see is opportunism. How can I take advantage? How can I take revenge? How can I make myself look good? How can I humiliate? How can I profit? But "God also sees and takes notice of the cruelty and malice of those who
feel a pleasure and gratification in seeing others afflicted and in
trouble" [Calvin].
Throughout the psalms, there's a contrast drawn between those in whose view the vulnerable are brought down, and God whose viewpoint brings wholeness to the downtrodden.
See me, Lord, and know my pain. And give me eyes to see in others not an opportunity for gain, but an opportunity for sharing; in Jesus' Name. Amen.
