ABSTRACT

The Hebrew Bible, especially in the Psalms, frequently refers to God’s infliction of suffering and its dramatic effect. The appropriateness of such suffering is not questioned: we understand that Israel deserves its suffering for having sinned, just as Israel’s enemies do. Suffering caused by God must surely be appropriate, for God is just. This certainty provides little guidance, however, as long as uncertainty about God’s involvement in any given instance of suffering lingers.