13 You have a powerful arm;
your hand is strong;
your strong hand is raised high!
14 Your throne is built on righteousness and justice;
loyal love and faithfulness stand in front of you.
Reflection
I know it’s not Christmas…but I can’t help thinking of one of my favorite scenes from the movie Elf. Buddy confronts the department store Santa and blurts out: “You sit on a throne of lies!”
It’s hilarious—but it also hits close to home when I read Psalm 89, which says that “righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne.” This line reminds me that not every throne is made equal.
Human power structures are often built on very different materials: ego, greed, flattery, fear —and yes, lies. We lie to discredit others. We lie to protect ourselves. We lie to preserve our image. Lies are some of our favorite building materials, probably because they’re so flexible. They can take the shape of whatever narrative we need in the moment.
The problem is, they’re not very sturdy.
That’s why God chooses an entirely different foundation on which to establish a throne: justice, righteousness, and the truth which undergirds them both.
In 2025, in this present political moment, truth often feels like a weak and fragile thing. It constantly feels like it needs defending, especially when people seem able to lie again and again with zero accountability.
God, by contrast, builds differently. God’s reign is grounded in justice and righteousness, supported by truth that does not shift with the wind.
But Scripture insists: no lie lasts forever. Sooner or later, every falsehood collapses under its own weight. Injustice and deception are unstable foundations. But truth and righteousness? Those are solid ground.
That’s the kind of throne worth building our lives around.
by Joe Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
Is there a way in which you’ve been less than truthful with God, with yourself, or with someone you love recently? Could today be the time to rebuild the foundation on something stronger?
Prayer: God of truth and justice, help me see through the lies that tempt and surround me. Give me courage to stand on your foundation of righteousness and build a life grounded in your truth. Amen.
