The bad moods of good people.
The psalm closes with what must be regarded as the unrestrained utterance of over-excitement. The psalmist was in a bad mood; perhaps it did him good, and relieved undue strain, for him thus to utter his bad feelings. But no devices of explanation should be allowed to relieve our conviction that they were very bad and unworthy feelings; and for us the record can but be a warning against cherishing sentiments of vengeance. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." If we have the spirit that Christ taught us to cherish, we shall not even pray against our enemies, we shall only pray for them. The last verse of the psalm is wholly repulsive to one who can take the Christian standpoint. With this denunciation of Edom should be compared the Book of Obadiah, and especially Obadiah 1:10-15. "It is a fierce outburst of natural resentment, which borrows almost a grandeur from the religious fervor, the devoted patriotism, from which it springs. The psalm is a wonderful mixture of soft melancholy and fiery patriotism."
I. GOOD PEOPLE MAY HAVE BAD MOODS. It is a fact that they do have such moods, and we must make the best that we can of the fact. We should read the Psalms much more sympathetically, and be much less distressed by some of their intense expressions, if we simply accepted the fact. We never judge our friends fairly unless we take into account their bad moods, and slip kindly over what they say at such times.
II. GOOD PEOPLE MAY BE RELIEVED BY SPEAKING OUT WHEN IN THEM BAD MOODS. It is better to speak out, even dreadful things, than to keep brooding over them in our hearts. Not only is feeling thus relieved, but pitifulness and considerate gentleness is called forth from others. We kindly say, "Poor fellow, he is not quite himself; bear with him awhile." And oftentimes speaking out reveals a man to himself, and becomes the very best cure of his bad mood. One fully expects that the psalmist must have been ashamed of himself when he had said out these dreadful things. How pitiful towards him God must have been!
III. GOOD PEOPLE MUST NEVER KEEP LONG IN THEIR BAD MOODS. It is precisely there that men so often go wrong. Storm-times ought to pass. Passionate moments leave but a light impress. But keep bitter feeling; brood over wrongs; cherish revenge, and the soul must inevitably be deteriorated, and the vision of God must be darkened. We must never forget that he loves our enemies.—R.T.
HOMILIES BY C. SHORT