👉 Destroy, O Lord, [and] divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this verse from Psalm 55:9. It's a really powerful and important section about God’s perspective on human conflict. Here’s what it means in simple terms:
The Basic Idea:
God is deeply concerned about the growing violence and strife happening within his people – specifically, within cities. He’s saying that he sees these things as destructive and unacceptable.
Let's unpack it word by word:
“Destroy, O Lord…”
: This isn’t just a simple command to stop something. It’s an expression of deep sorrow and frustration. “Destroy” means to completely eliminate or ruin something – in this case, the violence and strife.
“…and divide their tongues…”
: This is where it gets really significant. "Divide their tongues" refers to people speaking out against each other, arguing, and generally being at odds with one another. It suggests a breakdown in communication and understanding.
"...for I have seen violence and strife..."
: This is the core of the verse. God
directly
states that he has witnessed these things happening – clear examples of conflict and suffering.
Putting it all together:
God isn't just observing; he’s
seeing
. He’s recognizing a pattern of negativity, division, and potentially even danger within his community. It suggests a significant problem with the way people are interacting with each other.
What does this mean for us?
This verse is a reminder that:
God cares deeply about peace:
He's not indifferent to suffering; he’s actively concerned.
We need to be mindful of our actions:
Our words and behaviors have consequences, especially when they contribute to conflict or division.
It calls for action:
It suggests that we should strive for a more peaceful and harmonious world – perhaps through forgiveness, reconciliation, and understanding.
In short, Psalm 55:9 is a lament about the challenges of human relationships and a plea for God’s intervention to restore peace.
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Do you want me to:
Explain another verse from this passage?
Discuss its connection to other biblical themes (like forgiveness or justice)?
Give some context – like when it was written and why it's important in the Bible?