Barbarians roam the pages of scripture, murdering, raping and carrying women off into slavery. Others sacrificed children to demonic gods. Brutality emerges as a theme in the Bible.

Even when David served as king, he faced palace intrigues and scorn from his enemies: They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Not that we’re any better. Those of a barbarian nature reside with us today. A thug launched a brutal war in Ukraine, and savage men regularly kidnap young women to violate in Central Africa.

But what of those in more enlightened realms? Angry folk roam the internet, turning civil discourse into vicious diatribes. More subtly, greedy traders overwhelm the gates with promises of pleasure or fulfillment found by purchasing the latest style, or changing yourself to fit a new mold.

At our core we all carry seeds of the barbarian.

Thankfully, an escape route exists. David prayed, As for me, afflicted and in pain—may your salvation, God, protect me. We can form David’s words into an especially pertinent prayer today:

Lord, barbarians surround us, attack us and sadly motivate us. May your salvation protect our souls in this world filled with affliction and pain.

Psalm 69 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Hasan Almasi