Tuesday 8 April 2025

Psalm 35

Background
Our passage today comes from the central section of the book of the prophet Isaiah. These chapters date from the years of the Babylonian Exile, after Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed in 597 BC and the leaders of the people were forced from their homes by their enemies. This was a terrible time in the history of Israel, bringing to an end to the independent kingdom created by King David.

These verses from chapter 49 give hope that this period of captivity and desolation are coming to an end. The Lord draws on parallels with prisoners being liberated (v. 9) and the Exodus of God’s people from captivity in Egypt (vs 9-12) to describe how the prayers of his people will be answered. We also read here an image that we find elsewhere in Isaiah of God making the journey as easy as possible for those returning from exile (v. 12). As we read in famous words from Isaiah 40:3-4: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain."

These exiles will return from as far away as Syrene (v. 12), or Aswan, in the very south of Egypt at its then border with Ethiopia (Ezekiel 29:10). Archaeologists have found clear evidence of Jewish mercenaries serving on the island of Elephantine at Aswan in this period.

The mood of the passage changes in verse 13, becoming more like a hymn. Zion (v. 14) is an ancient name for Jerusalem, and is sometimes personified in the Bible, as in “daughter Zion” (Jeremiah 4:31). Here, Zion believes herself to have been forgotten but God reassures her that this is impossible. God is even more caring than a loving mother (v. 15).

To Ponder:

• Who in or world today is in exile, and needs to know that God wants to make the mountain into a road for them?
• How do you respond to the promise that God can never forget you because your names are inscribed on the palms of God’s hand?
• Why might some people find the question, “Can a woman forget her nursing-child” challenging? How should we respond to such difficulties when using biblical imagery in prayers and worship?

Prayer
Mothering God, who has never forgotten the people you created, make straight the road before us, that we may return to you with gladness and singing; through the love of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Geoffrey Farrar
The Revd Geoffrey Farrar is the Superintendent Minister of the Richmond & Hounslow Circuit in south-west London. He has pastoral charge of Barnes, Putney and Roehampton churches. He is currently studying part-time for a PhD at the nearby University of Roehampton, looking at the impact of the Maccabean Revolt on responses to Jesus. He lives in Putney with his partner and their adopted son.