I previously associated this word with notions of judgment, revenge, error, and criticism, but until recently, I hadn’t given it much thought. This past week, however, has prompted me to reexamine my understanding of the word and consider its deeper meaning.
Psalms 37:6-8 NIV
[6] He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. [7] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. [8] Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
I decided to do some research .i.e. consult Dr. Google, which led to an interesting discovery. The word ‘vindication’ appears 26 times in 7 different Bible translations. What’s more intriguing is that its usage seems to decrease over time, hinting at a shift in language and interpretation 🤔
[22] This You have seen, O Lord; Do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me. [23] Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, To my cause, my God and my Lord. [24] Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me.
According to the Cambridge English dictionary, the verb vindicate means:
to show something to have been right or true, or to show someone to be free from guilt or blame:
The decision to include Morris on the team was vindicated when he scored three touchdowns.~ Cambridge English Dictionary
The noun, vindication, according to the same dictionary:
the fact of proving that what someone said or did was right or true, after other people thought it was wrong:
The army’s victory is being seen as (a) vindication of their tactics.
He claimed the vote was a vindication of his policies.~ Cambridge English Dictionary
I’m starting to understand why vindicate is falling out of favour, as alternative words like justify, absolve, acquit, and clear are becoming increasingly popular. These synonyms have a more approachable and gentle connotation, making them more appealing to use in everyday language, whereas vindicate has a more formal and less commonly used tone.
In my observation and humble opinion, therein lies the problem – when we alter the original words and phrases inspired by God, as recorded by biblical authors, to accommodate human preferences. By doing so, we risk diluting the intended message and losing the depth and significance that the original language conveys.
Psalms 26:1 NKJV
[1] Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip.
Although King David, a biblical figure, lived before the time of Jesus and didn’t have the same understanding of God’s plan that we do today, he still grasped a fundamental truth: his vindication, or justification, came solely from God, and not from any human or earthly source. Despite our greater understanding of God’s nature and redemption through Jesus, David’s faith and trust in God’s vindication remain an inspiring example for us.
King David, a human like us, imperfect and prone to sin, repeatedly fell short of God’s standards. Despite his failures, God’s unwavering forgiveness, grace, and mercy embraced him. The ultimate testament to God’s vindication of David lies in the fact that the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, can be traced directly to David’s throne, a powerful reminder of God’s redeeming love and faithfulness.
Our ultimate vindication is found in Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross ✝️ and triumphant resurrection delivers us from the grip of sin and the sting of death, offering us redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life.
1 Timothy 3:16 NIV
[16] Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
To God be the glory always 🙏❤️
Idau Hahine 