A Cry for Justice

Psalm 58

Nazi Germany in 1937

• February – the Ministry of Interior forbids the use of “Intercessory Lists” in churches.

• June – it forbids the collection of money.

• July 1 – the Gestapo arrests Martin Niemoller (along with other pastors).

Niemoller’s Sermon on June 27

On Wednesday the secret police penetrated the closed church of Friedrich Werder and arrested at the altar eight members of the Council of Brethren. ... I think how yesterday at Saarbrucken six women and a trusted man of the Protestant community were arrested because they had circulated an election leaflet of the Confessing church. . . . And we recall today how the pulpit of St Anne's church remains empty, because our pastor and brother Muller, with forty-seven other Christian brothers and sisters of our Protestant church, has been taken into custody.

Martin Niemoller’s Poem

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out.

Psalm 58

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer was present when those pastors were arrested.

• On July 10, Bonhoeffer preached a sermon based on Psalm 58.

• It is a prayer for justice.

Introduction to Psalm 58

• Outlook: Disorientation

• Genre: Imprecatory Psalm

• Theme: A Cry for Justice Against Unjust Judges

Unjust Judges

Do you rulers indeed speak justly?

Do you judge uprightly among the people?

No, in your heart you devise injustice,

and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

Psalm 58:1-2

Incorrigible Evil

Even from birth the wicked go astray;

from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.

Their venom is like the venom of a snake,

like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

that will not heed the tune of the charmer,

however skillful the enchanter may be.

Psalm 58:3-5

Divine Justice

Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions!

Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow,

let their arrows be blunted. Like a slug melting away as it moves along,

like a stillborn child may they not see the sun. Psalm 58:6-8

The Righteous Rejoice

Before your pots can feel [the heat of] the thorns-- whether they be green or dry—

the wicked will be swept away.

The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.

Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded;

surely there is a God who judges the earth."

Psalm 58:9-11

Bonhoeffer’s Sermon

It would mean much if we would learn that we must earnestly pray to God in such distress and that whoever entrusts revenge to God dismisses any thought of ever taking revenge himself. Whoever does take revenge himself still does not know whom he is up against and still wants to take charge of the cause by himself. But whoever leaves revenge in God's hands alone has become willing to suffer and bear it patiently-without vengeance, without a thought of one's own revenge, without hate and without protest; such a person is meek, peaceable, and loves his enemies.

Bonhoeffer’s Sermon

God's cause has become more important to him than his own sufferings. He knows God will win the victory in the end. "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, I will retaliate" (Deut. 32:35)-and he will retaliate. But we are free from vengeance and retribution. Only the person who is totally free of his own desire for revenge and free of hate and who is sure not to use his prayers to satisfy his own lust for revenge-only such a person can pray with a pure heart: "Shatter the fangs of the young lions, O Lord, break the teeth in their mouth."

Bonhoeffer’s Sermon

That means, "God, it is your cause about to suffer damage here, your honor is being violated. God, step in now and destroy your enemy, exercise your power, let your righteous anger be aroused." God does not let himself be mocked. He will sit in judgment on his enemies.

New Testament Parallels

• Blood Metaphor? Invective Language– The angel swung his sickle on the earth,

gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

– Revelation 14:19-20

New Testament Parallels

• Rejoicing over Avenging Justice– After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great

multitude in heaven shouting:    "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to

our God, for true and just are his judgments.        He has condemned the great prostitute        who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.        He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." And again they shouted:        "Hallelujah!        The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."

» Revelation 19:1-3

New Testament Parallel

• Not Our Vengeance, but God’s– Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what

is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord [Deut 32:35]. On the contrary:        “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;        if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.        In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his

head” [Proverbs 25:21-22].• Romans 12:17-20

Our Response

• Give it God!– Pray for Justice– Root Out our Desires for Personal Vengeance

• Pursue Transforming Initiatives!– Return Good for Evil– Pursue Non-Violent Methods– Proactively Demonstrate Justice

Nashville 1960

In 1960 153 African-Americans were arrested for lunch counter sit-ins.

Rules for Nashville Sit-Ins

Do show yourself friendly on the counter at all times. Do sit straight and always face the counter. Don't strike back, or curse back if attacked. Don't laugh out. Don't hold conversations. Don't block entrances.

House Bombing

On April 19, 1960 their lawyer’s (also a city council member) home was bombed.

Nashville 1960

2,500 students and community members staged a silent march to City Hall that day. When they reached it, Mayor Ben West was waiting for them.

Critical Moment

Diane Nash asked him, "Do you feel it is wrong to discriminate against a person solely on the basis of their race or color?" West said yes. He later explained, "It was a moral question -- one that a man had to answer, not a politician."

Justice in Nashville

May 10, 1960, six lunch counters were integrated in Nashville—the first major southern city to do so.