Feeling sad for someone’s misfortunes is one thing. However, doing something to help them is quite another thing. Is identifying with someone by feeling bad for them while doing nothing anything? For me, yes. For them, no. Compassion is better than indifference. And indifference to suffering is no different than revenge.
Wanting revenge against someone is one thing. However, acting out revenge against someone is quite another thing. Is there a distinction between the emotion and the action? For me, no. For them, yes.
Since compassion and revenge are generated from my heart, then whether I act upon those heart compulsives or not is of little distinction to me. They stay with me. However, the subject of my compassion or revenge is not affected if I do not act upon them.
Yet, emotions seldom if ever end in a moment. The healthy soul and problem soul are not stagnant. The author of this psalm was affected by their enemy’s revenge. The Sons of Korah were disgraced and belittled. They carried shame for no offense to their enemy. Taunts, reproach, and revile came from third parties. The enemy’s revenge was contagious. Many were affected not for the better, but for the worse. Revenge even if only in the heart is not good for many. Revenge destroys society. Compassion betters all.
