My neighbor snuck up behind me
And tried to steal my cloak
I said Here, take my shirt too
He did, he and his buddies
More, they robbed and beat me
And left me lying in a ditch
This turn-your-other-cheek thing
Is not working out so well for me
Yes, friendly folk are fast disappearing
Neighbors lie outright and worse
God sees violence done to the helpless
And vows to rise to their rescue
But how?
Staggered and fallen and waiting to die
I am finished, in final decline
I am interred in my own ditch
Ignored by priests and pastors-by
Have mercy on me in my sorrow
Snatch me back from the maw of death
I long to praise you in the gates of Jericho
To sing of how you have saved me
Lord deliver me by my enemies
I have no hope but this
For I too remain your foe
And my neighbors love me as I love myself
Peter gets some idea of the significance of Jesus parable of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10. He doesn’t quite get all the way home with his thoughts, but does see that Jesus’ words do stand the worldview of many Psalms, such as 9 through 12, completely on its head. So he writes from the POV of the victim.
Really, this story ought to be called the Other Who Loves rather than the Good Samaritan. The traditional title just doesn’t do justice to the meaning.