Does God get Angry?
Dear Savannah and Sutton,
Does God get angry? I don’t know, but I don’t think so. I know that I get angry, and my anger is typically a result of things not going my way, not according to my plans, or not in accordance with what I think is right. And usually it comes when I am surprised that it didn’t go my way. Jesus apparently got angry when the temple merchants weren’t acting the way he thought they should. I am guessing he was surprised at their audacity. But I also think that the surprise and anger is attributable to his human nature. Whatever God is, I don’t think surprised or angry are attributes. However, I do think anger is an amazing open door to a better understanding of ourselves; our fears, our insecurities and our rigid thinking. So in that sense, anger is sacred. Maybe instead of shaming our anger, or nursing our anger, we should simply listen to our anger.
Just thinking out loud. I love you, -Dad
Inside Out Lectionary Letters
Year A - Fourth Sunday of Advent
Readings for December 21, 2025
Isaiah 7:10-16 / Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 / Romans 1:1-7 / Matthew 1:18-25
Psalm 80 can be considered as a prayer for the community as it asks God to bring restoration. It remembers God’s past faithfulness, laments the present suffering, and pleads for God to once again bring salvation and renewal. The connection to this week’s gospel reading is certainly evident in the frequent plea that God would “come and save us,” which mirrors the name given to Mary’s child; Jesus, which means the Lord saves.
The psalm is attributed to Asaph, as are 11 other psalms. Asaph was a Levite, specifically from the family of Gershon (1 Chronicles 6:39–43). He was appointed by King David as one of the chief musicians to lead worship before the Ark of the Covenant (1 Chronicles 15:16–19). His role was not just to play music but to prophesy through song (1 Chronicles 25:1–2).
I imagine the original music of this psalm would have been bleak and harsh. Maybe it is filled with minor chords. I say this because the psalmist uses lyrics of lament and despair.
We often project onto God characteristics that are actually within us. So when the psalmist accuses God of smoldering anger, we should at least consider that the singers are actually the ones harboring anger and resentment. And the solution to that anger is to pay attention to the divine voice within. Outward prosperity usually just delays the consequences of inner conflict. God’s invitation to salvation is an invitation to make peace with the enemy within.
As has been said before, our outward experience is often a reflection of our inner journey. In this psalm the community is contentious to the neighbors and is mocked by their enemies. In individual terms, this means that an individual’s persona (the way they present themselves to others) is no longer getting the results they desire. Everyone develops a persona based on what is believed to be socially acceptable or, more accurately, the way a person wants to be seen by others. It is not the authentic self, but rather the self that navigates daily interactions in order to get needs met. When the persona fails to meet the expectation of others, or fails to satisfy the individual, the person is forced to consider how vast the chasm is between the persona and the true or authentic self. And this is where the prayer of restoration takes root. Our willingness to connect to the divine within, to receive God’s grace for our anger, and to seek healing for our shame and contentiousness, initiates salvation and restoration. Then we might realize that love shines on us, and can radiate through us.
Prayer
Lord God, we listen for Your voice. Restore what feels broken, revive what feels withered, and protect what You have planted in us. Shine Your love upon us, that we might be saved. And having made neighbors with the enemies within, may our face radiate love to all we meet. Amen.