Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The Attitude of the Wicked

Psalm 64:1-9

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

“Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.  Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.” (Psalm 64:1-4)

The world uses intimidation constantly, whether it is the criminal trying to rob one, the bill collector threatening legal action or the police officer enforcing the law.  As a result people become accustomed to living with fear, dealing with it in different ways.    David prays that God would keep him from living in constant fear and turmoil.    Wicked people plot how to destroy others, and actively rebel against moral standards.  They practice shaming people and constantly make unfounded accusations in an attempt to destroy the person’s reputation, frequently posing as his friend in the process. 

“They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?  They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.” (Psalm 64:5-6)

Wicked people encourage each other to do things they know are wrong they plot to entrap peple, and count of being able to hide what they have done.    They actively search out opportunities and ways to take advantage of others.  They conceal their plans and their real motives. 

As we look at what David says about the wicked, we see these attitudes are very prevalent in today’s society, from the rich political and business leader to the homeless person on the street corner.  It seems every effort is made to take advantage of other people, with little or no concern for how their actions affect others.  It would be easy to get depressed, worrying about what will happen next, and this is what David is asking for help to avoid. 

“But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.  So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.  And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.” (Psalm 64:7-9)

God is going to deal with their wickedness, whether anyone believes it or not.    God directs every punishment to have maximum impact, and there is no possibility the wicked can avoid judgment.     They will be destroyed as a result of their own actions and statements, and will find that people avoid them.   Other people will be deterred by what happens to them and be forced to think about what is right and who God is. 

“The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.” (Psalm 64:10)

One of the problems in American society is that we try to protect people from the consequences of their sin.  As a result others are encouraged rather than being deterred, and the guilty learns nothing.   At the same time we invent reasons for punishing those who have done nothing wrong. 


Those who want what is right will want to see the spread of evil stopped, even if it means that those who do evil are severely punished or even killed for their actions.  It is a sad commentary on modern society that we protect guilty people from the consequences of their sin.  

1 comment:

  1. Praise God that He will judge the wicked with His perfect timing and judgment. In the meantime, it is our responsibility as Christians to speak out against evil, while speaking the truth in love. Thanks for the great post and God bless.

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