A meditation on forgiveness inspired by Psalm 9.

With my whole heart, I give thanks to El-roi,

my God who sees me.

Your truth sets me free

for you see and remember everything.

My enemies tell me lies.

They twist the truth

and try to reshape my memories.

“Your recall is faulty,” they say.

“There was no deception, no betrayal.

You are the wicked one.”

Their voices steal into my mind

and lay traps for me.

Doubt and guilt set up camp around my heart.

My truth hesitates in the shadows;

my self-confidence splinters.

O my God, you are the Father of truth.

You stand witness for me in the court of my accusers

and assert the cause of my suffering.

You reestablish my boundaries in reality and fairness.

A word from you, and my enemies are vanquished,

their encampments uprooted and their voices stilled.

They vanish before you like smoke.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

a shelter in times of trouble and doubt.

Your people hide in your goodness and truth,

vindicated by the power of your word.

Those who know you put their trust in you,

for you do not forget their wounds.

You remember their suffering

and bind up their brokenness with your love.

I look around me and see all humanity suffering—

people sinking into pits they have dug for others,

caught in nets they have cast for their own gain.

Lord, save me from a similar fate.

Remind me that I am only human,

that my enemies are only human.

You alone are sovereign.

Come and rule our lives, O Lord!

Lead us in the strength of your righteousness.

Cast down our pride and teach us to depend on you

that we might shelter in the stronghold of your justice

and surrender our wounded hearts to your healing compassion.