Study 31

Text: Psalm 9

JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED

No matter how powerful the wicked may seem to be, the time will come when God would judge them. This truth was foundational to David's theological comprehension of how God would administer justice.

"The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made:
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
The Lord is known by the judgment He executes
The wicked is snared in the work of their own hands"
Psalm 9:15-16

We are reminded of another psalm that David wrote, where a similar thought was expressed.

"Behold the wicked brings forth iniquity
Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.
He made a pit and dug it out
And has fallen into the ditch which he made.
His trouble shall return upon his own head,
And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown"
Psalm 7:14-16

RETRIBUTION

God could deal with the wicked directly. Alternatively, He could allow events to take their natural course and the wicked would find to their horror that they will sink into the pits they have dug for their enemies!

This kind of poetic justice is something that the Lord is "known to execute." The wicked will become "ensnared in the work of their own hands."

ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES

Not only will there be judgment on this earth, there will also be eternal consequences.

"The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God'
Psalm 9:11

Wisdom teaches us that wickedness does not pay!

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The psalmist David highlighted one special lesson that he felt must be learned well.

"Put them in fear, O Lord.
That the nations might know themselves
To be but men."
Psalm 9:20

What a humbling lesson this is. We are indeed "BUT MEN!"

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~

Released 11th July 2004, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore