A Presentist Reading of Psalm 23 Within the Context of Xenophobia in South Africa.

Abstract:

At a summit focused on liberation movements in Kempton Park, South Africa, on 27 July 2025, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa articulated that the weaponization of foreigners represents one of the perilous issues currently confronting society. His remark was triggered by the ongoing sentiments against foreigners that often express themselves through acts of violence in South Africa. President Ramaphosa’s speech emerges amidst an expanding corpus of literature on xenophobia, urging researchers and other stakeholders in South Africa to confront the urgent issue of xenophobia. However, the existing literature primarily focuses on the causes and consequences of xenophobia. The support provided to individuals affected by xenophobia in navigating the emotional distress and consequences stemming from such discrimination, is frequently neglected. In this article, I propose God’s divine presence as a religious coping mechanism for victims of xenophobia, while recognising that coping mechanisms may also arise from psychological and sociological frameworks, for example. I develop this mechanism through a presentist interpretation of Psalm 23, demonstrating that the Psalmist may have faced circumstances similar to those associated with xenophobia in South Africa. I integrated the presentist hermeneutic with a thematic methodology to steer this article towards its principal aim. The conclusion reached is that God’s presence functions as a coping mechanism for victims to navigate the anguish caused by xenophobia. This article engages in an interdisciplinary approach, enhancing the discourse surrounding both religious and socio-political studies related to xenophobia. It is crafted with a thoughtful regard for those affected by xenophobia.