VATICAN - Weekly teaching of Pope Benedict XVI: psalm 143: blessed the people « whose God is the Lord », “a people who does not renounce its faith and spiritual and moral values”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - During his weekly audience this morning in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Benedict XVI illustrated the second part of Psalm 143 (the King’s Prayer - Vespers Thursday week 4. “We have the entry on the scene of the figure of the «anointed one» the «Consecrated one» par excellence Jesus who draws all to himself to make them all "one" (cfr Jn 17,11.21). In fact the scene which dominates the hymn will be marked by prosperity and peace, typical symbols of the messianic era ” the Pope explained.
At the end of history “at last the voice of evil will be silent, evil which the psalmist describes as «falsity» and «taking false oaths», indicating idolatry… But this negative space is followed by a greater positive dimension of a new happy which is to come”. In the new world of messianic «peace» the psalmist proposes a series of pictures of social life which instil hope for a more just society”: first of all the family, then economic life, the countryside with its fruits, flocks at pasture, farm animals, the city, the civil community which “at last enjoys the precious gift of peace and public quiet”.
This world so different from reality is possible, “it is entrusted to the Messiah and to his people” the Pope said. “All together we can accomplish this project for harmony and peace, stopping the destruction of hatred, violence and war. But we must make a decision and take God’s side of love and justice. The Psalm ends with a blessing for the people «whose God is the Lord », a people who does not renounce its faith and spiritual and moral values”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/1/2006, righe 26, parole 377)