Ellipsis

It happened again this morning. I was reading a devotional book that more or less adheres to the lectionary texts for the week, and I looked at the reading for the day: Psalm 92:1-4; 12-15. I have, over the years, learned to grow suspicious of omissions in texts, and before I even flipped open my Bible I was irritatedly wondering, “what about verses 5-11?!" I knew, more or less what to expect—a pleasant selection of the inspirational bits of a psalm with the nasty parts left out.

I was right.

The reading focused on how good it was to praise the Lord, to proclaim his love, to sing for joy, about how the righteous would flourish like well-watered trees staying “fresh and green” until old age.  The parts of Psalm 92 that were omitted were the parts about the destruction of the wicked, the defeat of the psalmist’s adversaries, and about “senseless fools” who do not understand and are destined for the grave.  The former themes were obviously (and entirely appropriately!) deemed suitable for morning reflection.  And the latter?  What about them?  Were they thought to be uncomfortable and awkward intrusions into a prayer of praise and thanksgiving?  Embarrassing reflections of the psalmists’ feelings toward his enemies?  Inconvenient expressions of violence and ill-will in what was supposed to be a hymn of joy?  Whatever the reasons, a decision was made on the reader’s behalf, and these verses were edited out.