In the Hands of Hope

The exiled psalmist continues talking to himself, swinging between nostalgia and hope, and comforting himself as best he can. His friendship with the Lord was born and had grown stronger in these places a long time ago. In calling them back to mind, now, by association, they vividly awaken his memory of the Lord.

Then with a very inspired poetic fantasy, the refugee plays a game of symbols and realities with himself.

Indeed, at the very height of Mount Hermon, the water is unbelievably fresh and clear. It runs down, jumping and singing, from brook to brook. The psalmist imagines how a brook sings to the next one in a voice of a waterfall, “All your waves and breakers sweep over me” (v. 8). This is a symbol. In his soul, the waves of sadness and the torrents of affliction have flooded the plains.

In the midst of all these changes and agitation, the sun shines suddenly through for the exiled. I know that my God will look upon me with tenderness and will cover me with the mantle of mercy at dawn; and at night, I will sing with the zither, a serenade of love for my Lord (v. 9).

After so many highs and lows, the psalmist finally descends to the valley of serenity in a dialogue with himself, he finally, once and for all, places himself in the hands of hope (v. 12).

Extracted from the book “Psalms for Life” by Father Ignacio Larrañaga