“But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
Despite everything, YHWH is father and potter, the people are clay, YHWH made them, and the community appeals not to be utterly angry or remember iniquity forever. The potter-clay image establishes YHWH's creative power and prerogative: YHWH has fashioned the people and can reshape them. The father-language indicates familial intimacy. The petition not to be utterly angry indicates that while divine wrath is real, the community assumes it is not final. The appeal not to remember iniquity forever indicates faith that divine justice has limits. This verse reasserts covenantal relationship as ground for hope.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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