Week 4: Ethical Dilemma

When reading The Book of Psalms, it is difficult to get a firm grasp on the ethical system behind it. The Psalms refer continually to the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the just, but very infrequently describes how these two are seperated. There are a few clues scattered through the psalms, however. In several psalms we hear evildoers described as deceitful liars (As in 52 and 31, which also refers to arrogance as a negative quality- 31:19). These deceivers often speak falsely against the writer. Also criticized are unfairness in dealings (such as not repaying loans), stealing and adultery (50:18) along with with all other kinds of dishonesty. There seems to be no rule against violence, as violence against one's enemies is often prayed for. In all psalms, the hatred of enemies is described as undeserved, so perhaps violence is to be considered righteous only when you have started. Sympathy for the lowly (whether this be the sick- 35- or the poor- 41) is certainly encouraged. Oppositely, the wealthy are not considered well-off in the eyes of god, for they shall take none of their wealth with them in death.

I don't know how I could judge this ethic to be "livable". I can say that it doesn't seem to make sense- as I pointed out in my last entry, there seems to be little difference in deed between the enemy (who should be destroyed) and the guilt-ridden psalm reader (who should be cleansed and forgiven). The reason for this is perhaps the most significant aspect of the ethic the psalms describe- unswerving faith. When the believer has committed crime, he asks for forgiveness, he seeks out god, and for this reason only is he to be saved. His enemies, proud of their crime, and not seeking god, should be destroyed. This also ties into the idea of humility- god favors those who know themselves to be at his mercy, and who seek his guidance (33:18-19).

In this way I see this ethic as similar to that of christianity. In Christianity, one can be forgiven for a great crime if one is truly penitent and humble before god, and seeks to be forgiven. Both ethics also describe faith through testing times (as in many of the psalms and in the story of Joab) as one of the greatest human qualities.