Psalm 94 - A call for God's Justice
Book of Psalms • Sermon • Submitted
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· 24 viewsThe LORD is a God of Justice whom will punish the wicked and keep the righteous
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We live in a world where the wicked often triumph over the righteous and evil acts often go unpunished. Those with power often abuse that power and press down those who don’t. This happens because there is often no consequence and certainly no fear of God in the minds of these perpetrators. Indeed, our nation and world are running as fast as possible away from Christian influence. God must be muted. The gospel of Christ must be put away. The LORD is not paying attention, doesn’t care, or somehow affirms evil. This is the way of things now. It seems to be of things when this psalm was written. In this type of scenario, those who would live holy often find themselves with no recourse from men. That doesn’t mean there is no recourse. We can turn to the LORD of heaven and earth. This is what we have in psalm 94.
Background
Background
We don’t have a time period of historical situation to connect with this psalm. Like many such psalms, this fact gives it broad usability and applicably. This psalm bears the marks of lament. There also is an explicit reality that Yahweh is a God was judges evil because He is the sovereign God. There is an eschatological hope that wicked will be destroyed and the people of God vindicated. They shall praise the name of the LORD. We can break this psalm into parts:
The call for Yahweh’s vengeance (vs. 1 - 2)
The evil acts of the wicked (vs. 3 - 7)
The warning to the wicked (vs. 8 -11)
The blessings given the righteous (vs. 12 - 15)
The complaint of the righteous due to the wicked (vs. 16 - 21)
The certainty of God’s vengeance (vs. 22 - 23)
Exposition
Exposition
Verses 1 - 2: The psalmist begins with the declaration of Yahweh as the God of vengeance. It is the purview of the LORD alone to bring justice on behalf of His people. David understood this after the death of Nabal 1 Sam 25:31-34;39. Rather than taking matters into their own’s hands, the people of God are to turn to their God and cry out for His justice which he is sure to bring (Lev. 19:18; 1 Thess 4:6). The psalmist, in response to the wicked around him calls for the God of perfect vengeance to manifest Himself and repay the arrogant who aren’t accountable to anyone and believe themselves outside and above the law and hand of God.
Verses 3 - 7: The psalmist begins his complaint concerning the wicked. Their evil deeds have gone on for a long time and the writer asks how long shall their evil go unabated and punished. With their words they threaten and bring injustice. The wicked are proud of their wickedness. They promote it and condemn those who would speak against it. Whoever these wicked are in our text, they are opposing the people of God. They have shed the blood of the defenseless in society ,the widow, the stranger had little rights, and orphans whom were completely dependent on others to meet their need. The evil people have chosen the weak to prey upon. They act without impunity because they believe the LORD is not paying attention. Because they have gone unpunished, they believe they will continue to do so.
Verses 8 - 11: The psalmist issues a word of warning to these spiritually undiscerning and stupid people. The creator God, LORD of heaven of earth sees and hears all things. The one who brings disciplines the nations will bring rebuke. The one who gives knowledge to the nations knows the futile thoughts of men. The fact that he hasn’t yet brought judgment doesn’t mean it will not come. It will if repentance isn’t done (Ps. 50:21-22).
Verses 12 - 15: Unlike the wicked whom have no regard for God or His law, the psalmist pronounces ‘blessed’ those whom are taught by God the ways of right and wrong. It is good to be disciplined by the LORD so one continues in the ways of righteousness. It is a sign that one is a child of God (Prov 3:11-12). This person will be kept by the LORD in days of trouble while the wicked is punished for their wickedness. The psalmist can have this assurance because the LORD is always with His people. He doesn’t and will never abandon His people. Even in judgment He is with His people to keep them. The time will come with righteous judgment on the earth will be restored and the upright will gladly follow.
Verses 16 - 21: The psalmist asks whom will come to his defense against those who do evil. He then proclaims the LORD has been his help because He remains in the land of the living. If the psalmist cries out because he is slipping, the LORD will uphold him as part of His covenantal love. When the writer’s thought are consumed with anxiety, he will take delight in the word of God. The wicked are not on the side of the LORD as Yahweh takes no part in unrighteousness. These are people to get together to plan and perform their evil.
Verses 22 - 23: In the midst of this the LORD is a strong tower and place of refuge for His people. The righteous are safe and secured from evil in the LORD. On the other hand, the destruction of the wicked is assured. The God of vengeance will judge and destroy them.