Judgment of the Wicked and the Restored Favor of God

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 59-60

 

Psalm 59:16-17

But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
For You have been my defense
And refuge in the day of my trouble.
¹⁷ To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;
For God is my defense,
My God of mercy.

(NKJV)

 

In a world of hatred and violence, those of us professing a belief in Jesus as our savior can become impatient and have doubts. We can become impatient, wondering when Jesus will return to judge evil and establish His kingdom on earth. We can also doubt our salvation when we sin, believing we are no longer saved. David experienced impatience and doubt, which he expresses in this text.

 

Psalm 59 is a michtam of David seeking assurance of God’s judgment of the wicked. It begins with David asking the Lord for deliverance from his enemies and workers of iniquity, asking God to defend him from those rising against him and for God to save him from bloodthirsty men (Psalm 59:1-2). David asks God to look because his enemies gather and lie in wait for him, and not because of anything he has done (Psalm 59:3-4). David wants the Lord God of Hosts to punish all nations and not show mercy to wicked transgressors (Psalm 59:5). In the evening, his enemies reappear, growling like dogs as they go about the city, belching with their mouths and swords in their lips, asking who hears (Psalm 59:6-7).

 

Despite his circumstances, David knows God shall laugh at his enemies, holding them in derision (Psalm 59:8). David will wait on the Lord, his defense and source of strength, knowing God shall meet him with mercy and that he shall see his desires come upon his enemies (Psalm 59:9-10). David then asks that the Lord not slay his enemies, but scatter them and bring them down so the people do not forget (Psalm 59:11). David asks that they be taken down for the sins of the mouth. For them to be taken in their pride for what they speak (Psalm 59:12). David wants his enemies consumed in wrath. Hence, they know God rules in Jacob and to the ends of the earth (Psalm 59:13). While his enemies return in the evening, wandering about the city, David will sing of God’s power and mercy for God is his defense and refuge (Psalm 59:14-16). David will continue offering praise to God, his strength, defense, and his God of mercy (Psalm 59:17).

 

Psalm 60 is a michtam of David, praying for God's restored favor. It begins with David knowing God is displeased and has cast them off, brought them down, asking God to restore them (Psalm 60:1). God has made the earth tremble and broken it, showing His people hard things, and bringing confusion (Psalm 60:2-3). God has given His people a banner to display because of truth, bringing deliverance and salvation by God’s right hand (Psalm 60:4-5).

 

David rejoices, divides Shechem, and divides out the Valley of Succoth because God has spoken in His holiness (Psalm 60:6). David touts the victories given to him by God, asking who will lead him to the strong city and lead him to Edom (Psalm 60:7-9). It is the God who cast them off and did not go out with their enemies who will bring him to the strong city and Edom (Psalm 60:10). The psalm concludes with David asking God for help from trouble, understanding that the help of man is useless (Psalm 60:11). Through God, David will do valiantly with God the one who shall tread down their enemies (Psalm 60:12).

 

As with many of the Psalms written by David, these psalms come out of times of trouble for David and represent emotional cries out to God. In these two psalms, we see David crying out to God for,

• Assurance of judgment of the wicked (Psalm 59) – Saul is seeking to kill David, with him stalking his home (1 Samuel 19:11-17). This is the beginning of Saul's many attempts to kill David, with this psalm letting us know David's emotional and mental state in this situation. The main things that stand out are that David continued to sing of God’s power and mercy. He also praises God for being his defense and refuge in this time of trouble (Psalm 59:16-17).
• The restored favor of God (Psalm 60) – The context of this psalm is a time of great conquests for David (1 Chronicles 18:1-13; 2 Samuel 8:1-14). However, there was a surprising setback with Edom that was rectified by Joab and possibly Abishai, who killed eighteen thousand Edomites (1 Chronicles 18:12-13). Perhaps David believes Israel needs restoration from God for not trusting God to defeat Edom, offering this psalm as a prayer affirming his faith in God.

 

In a chaotic and fallen world, we may become impatient and wonder when Jesus will return to bring judgment upon the wicked. We may also begin to doubt if we still have the favor of God in our lives. Like David, if we have Jesus as our Savior, we know,

·         Jesus is coming back to judge wickedness (John 5:24-30) – This passage in John assures us as believers in Jesus as Savior that we will not come into judgment because the penalty for our sins was paid by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Those who do not believe and do evil will incur the judgment of condemnation (John 3:18, 5:29). Rest assured, Jesus is coming back to judge evil and bring it to an end.

·         We are forgiven and part of the family of God (1 John 3:1) – Those that have accepted Jesus as their savior, are not subject to condemnation and are children of God (1 John 3:1; John 3:17). This is a fact that cannot be changed for those having a genuine belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 10:9-10), but the devil likes to cause doubt in this when we slip up. Instead of listening to his lies, causing doubt, confess your sin to God and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation and the complete forgiveness of sin, I encourage you to do so now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.