Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve! O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? (Psalm 94: 1-3)

The reflex for revenge is strong. To perceive a hurt and want to return a hurt is common. Vengeance racks the earth. The Hebrew meaning seems very close to our modern understanding of vengeance.

The source of the English word is the Latin vindicare meaning to avenge, claim, or set free. The supposed purpose of those seeking vengeance is a claim of justice: to take back what has been taken from.

All of the psalms assigned for today (6, 12, and 94) are preoccupied by evildoers, terror, vileness, arrogance, and the wicked. The psalmists seek revenge or, at least, a demonstration of God's power to set things right.

Our motivation is often to reclaim in anger what has been taken from us. God's vengeance is as often about setting us free from our sense of having been wronged.

Forgiveness is a demonstration of God's power. Forgiveness can bring wholeness to that which has been shattered. In the fullest meaning of the word, forgiveness is a powerful form of vengeance.