30 Days With the PsalmsНамуна

Praying in the face of injustice and evil

“Oh, let the veil of the wicked come to an end, and may You establish the righteous–You who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!” (Psalm 7:9 ESV).

Life is often unjust. We can feel frustrated and discouraged when we see around us (or even experience in our own lives) how “the veil of the wicked” disturbs and damages so many good things. We want to pursue righteousness and love, but sometimes this just seems a hopeless endeavor. The influence of sin is overwhelming.

In this Psalm, David expresses his frustration when he is treated unjustly. He sees this not as an isolated case, but as an example of the wickedness that fills this sinful world and that needs to be addressed by God. He knows that God will ultimately restore the right and just order on this earth, and he cries out to the Lord to do so right now.

This is the best thing we can do when the wickedness of this world overwhelms us: pour out our heart before God and remind ourselves of His promise of “a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13 ESV).

Do you long for this new world? What do you imagine this world to be like?