Skip to main content

Psalm 59 - God's judgement shows the world that God is ruler of all

Verses 1 - 7 are a description of David's enemies and his plea to God to deliver him because of who God is

Verses 8 - 10 are a description of God's character

Verses 11 - 13 describe the action David hopes for God to take

Verses 14 - 15 repeat verse 1-7

Verses 16 and 17 are about God's character again.

Written in a ABCAB structure - repeating certain elements. If I don't remember wrongly in Hebrew this places an emphasis on the unrepeated verses - 11-13. But key points are here:

God's character makes Him judge.
God, being righteous, being the God of all the earth, cannot and will not let sin go unpunished

God is our Strength, our fortress, and His steadfast love in particular is our source of hope.

God's judgement shows the world that God is ruler of all. This is the emphasized point, and this links to the previous Psalm's themes as well.

Application:
We need a clear understanding of God's character to truly understand His reasons for His actions. Okay, maybe not even understand, but accept. It's hard to reconcile a good God meting out such punishments.

We also need to recognise God's judgement as His means of revealing Himself to the world - that by His judgement every knee will bow and every tongue confess He is God. This is actually most clearly seen in Revelation - where on the last day all will submit to Him in fear (rightfully!) for the coming judgement.

The thing is, the same judgement that they see on that day has already been announced. So why the lack of fear, not only among non-Christians but even among Christians who don't seem to realise that Jesus is returning?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Luke 22:35-53 - Jesus arrested

Luke 22:35-53 [35] And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” [36] He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. [37] For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” [38] And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” (ESV) [39] And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. [40] And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” [41] And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, [42] saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” [43] And there appeared t...

Mark 9:2-13 - The transfiguration

This passage tells of Peter, James and John following Jesus to a high mountain alone. Again, it is only the "inner circle" of the disciples who get to witness this event. As Jesus prayed, His appearance was changed to one radiant and intensely white - an allusion to His holiness. Moses and Elijah also appeared and talked to Jesus about His coming death. Why Moses and Elijah? (note: speculation here) Moses is the giver of Old Testamental law and is instrumental in Christ's fulfillment of the OT Law, and His replacing of it. Elijah is the symbol of faith of the OT - never going against God but suffering many things for His sake, and at the end being taken up to heaven without actually dying. They talk to Jesus, and Peter suggests that they make 3 dwellings for them to stay. However, that is clearly not God's intention, and God speaks clearly to them, telling them Jesus is His beloved Son, and to listen to Him. At this point, Moses and Elijah disappear. Jes...

Psalm 39 - The measure of my days

Psalm 39 -  The measure of my days Introduction Psalm 39 is written as a lament Psalm by David. David starts off the Psalm with a declaration of his commitment to stay silent in the face of the wicked. Possibly a reason for this is because he does not want to have any interaction with them, or perhaps they are twisting his words too much. However, in his silence, he says his plight gets worse. The next part is the kind of "emo" sounding part, where he asks God to let him know how long his days are and how he will die - in the hope that he will leave this world behind for a better place. He finally ends off with praise to God for His holiness and deliverance. How applicable is this today? Where God's holiness has not changed, how we relate to the wicked definitely has. Because of the coming of Jesus Christ, we wicked people have a chance to accept God's love and grace. As Jesus said, it is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. No longer do we distin...