Study 30

Text: Psalm 9

A PERSONAL CONTEXT

The Psalmist David began with thoughts of his personal adversaries (Cf. Psalm 9:3 "my enemies"). Before too long though, his thoughts took on a more theological strain.

A THEOLOGICAL APPROACH

David's thoughts began to go much farther afield. He thought about how God dealt with wicked, rogue nations.

"You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever."
Psalm 9:5

1. Rebuke of the nations

David's reasoning seems to run thus. If the Lord would rebuke whole nations, then He would certainly rebuke his wicked adversaries.

2. Destruction of the wicked

The principle behind God's rebuke of the nations is the fact of their wickedness. If wicked nations were judged and destroyed by the Lord if they were unrepentant, then David need not fear his evil foes. God would certainly deal with them too.

3. The concept of blotting out a name

To have a name completely blotted out is nothing short of annihilation! That is an awful fate indeed! If wicked nations continued to pursue their evil intentions, then they must also be prepared to see God annihilate them- completely!

AN APPLICATION OF A DEEP THEOLOGICAL TRUTH

The psalmist David applied this deep theological truth in his personal life's context.

"O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished"
Psalm 9:6

David thought about how wicked enemies had, in the past, blotted out the memory of their foes. These wicked ones would one day get the same treatment they meted out to others!

THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE

David drew great encouragement from the thought of God as the Righteous Judge of the earth. We would do well to find renewed faith and strength by dwelling on this word.

"He shall judge the world by righteousness
He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness"
Psalm 9:8

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~

Released 4th July 2004, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore