Mr. Bitter takes issue with King David

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled (Hebrews 12:14-15).

I’ve been reading the Psalms lately and for whatever reason begin thinking about how our heart condition and attitude has a profound effect on how we interpret and receive the word of God. I have come to understand that everything is offensive to the person who has allowed bitterness to take root in their soul. Bitterness blinds a person to their own sins. So I imagined King David posting his Psalms in a blog or on a social networking site and imagined what kind of response he might receive from unbelievers, but more particularly from the embittered person. I imagine the exchange might look something like this:

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (Psalms 5:5-6)

Response: David, I’m not much into your particular genre of writing, but I recently decided to give it a reading. I regret to inform you that I was not impressed and have in fact taken issue so much of what you’ve written. I think it’s so wrong of you to pen such judgmental words against others. How dare you say that God “hate[s] all evildoers” and that he “destroy[s] those who speak lies” and “abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Ps. 5:5-6). God hates? I’m sorry, David, but you FAIL! That’s not the god I know. I’ll tell you what’s abhorrent. Your self-righteousness. It reeks quite frankly. Have you even read your own words? “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house” (vs. 7). What makes you so special and different anyway? Maybe you ought to be worrying about your own lustful and adulterous heart, Mr. “Bathsheba,” before pointing out the sins of others. Judge not, that you be not judged.

“O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD— how long?” (Psalms 6:1-3)

Response: David, interesting. So what happened, David? You were so self-righteous in the previous Psalm, but now you are asking for mercy? What a double standard! You wished others damnation for their sins yet you won’t do likewise for self? Maybe you’ve forgotten what you wrote previously. That’s okay. I’ll remind you. You wrote:

For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you (Psalms 5:9-10)

Response: David, so do you cry to manipulate God? Is that how it works? Jesus said that pagans wrongly believe their prayers will be heard because of “their many words." David, you are so wise (sarcasm)! You’ve figured it out! It isn’t repetition that gets God’s attention, but “the sound of [your] weeping."