The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22. April 11, 2023 - Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Psalm 33 speaks about God’s power and kindness. He created the world through his word and maintains control over it, and nobody can much his power. But, the Lord is also kind to those who fear him, who put their trust in Him. The psalmist describes the Lord with the classic adjectives: faithful, righteous, just, and kind (see 33:4-5). But what I would like to highlight today is the statement that “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord”. Is it?

Wisława Szymborska, a Polish poet awarded in 1996 with the Nobel Prize in literature, has titled one of her poems: “I am rethinking the world”. In the world she has rethought, there is no suffering, all people are young, death comes without pain, and the relationship between human beings and creation is harmonious. The poem expresses, in a subtle way, a disagreement with the reality of life. In her view, the earth is not full of the goodness of the Lord, but full of suffering and pain. But, it is evident that she longed for the earth “full of the goodness of the Lord”.

I think that most of us look at the world in a similar way to that Polish poet. Influenced by the media that highlight the tragic events talking place in different parts of the world, we have difficulties seeing the earth plagued with wars, terrorism, sickness, hunger, and violence as full of the goodness of the Lord. So, how was able the psalmist to see what we have difficulties seeing? Was he oblivious to the presence of evil during his times? Had he a revelation from God that transformed his perception of reality?

The psalmist's declaration that “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord” reminds me of a similar statement proclaimed by the angelic figures in the book of Isaiah. The prophet had a vision of God and heard a song of angels declaring that “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is 6:3). The Bible begins with the creation of the world (Gen 1-2) and ends with the vision of a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21-22). In between, there is the story of human sinfulness that leads to tragic consequences and the glimpses of God’s salvation culminating in the story of Jesus Christ narrated in the Gospels. Thus, no matter how much evil wants to disfigure God’s creation, the glory and the goodness of God is written within the fabric of the universe and the history of humanity

The psalmist’s declaration should influence our perception of reality. Although not blind to the instances of suffering in our world, we should notice the presence of God in our lives who is faithful, righteous, just, and kind (see 33:4-5). He opens our eyes to the vision of his glory and helps us to perceive his steadfast love in the events of our lives.