Psalm 140
Watch the Selahs!
Last imprecatory psalm. Know David was penman, uncertain the particular circumstances that prompted writing. Most likely during time Saul and advisors were harassing. Like many psalms, lack of specific historical context encourages broader application. Has definite relevance in present cultural setting, more so in future given trends.
Bumper sticker years ago: “When you get over the hill, you pick up speed”. Intended as commentary on aging process. Applies equally well to morality – once pursuit of biblical values and principles has been abandoned, descent into evil picks up speed rapidly. Need examples? Rewind 20 or 30 years, then fast forward nightly news, newspaper front pages. What kinds of things take front and center now compared to then? Doesn’t show signs of slowing down either!
Especially important: keep in mind what we know, things not exactly what they seem. Piers Morgan, former CNN commentator:
“Not much fills the heart with unrestrained glee at 5am on a cold, dank Fall morning. But I awoke to news that Mohammed ‘Jihadi John’ Emwazi was ‘probably’ dead – and felt like dancing a jig of delight. …he was reportedly [killed] by a direct U.S. drone strike. …A more appropriate way for this sub-human abomination to meet his demise it would be hard to fathom.”
It’s ok to rejoice that someone bent on unspeakable evil has reportedly been stopped. At same time, remember while Jihadi John responsible for all he did, was at same time a tool of the one he worshiped. Is easy, natural to respond to evil on purely human level. Must at same time recognize spiritual dimension, that most important and powerful enemy is unseen. ReadEph. 2:1-3, further elaboration in Eph 6:12
Why important? now? Remember the hill? Fewer external restraints on Satan’s agents; are increasingly active, vocal, violent. Representative government and rule of law have been great blessing; when God’s law has been marginalized or abandoned by majority, things change. Would be irresponsible to ignore trends, just as irresponsible to be alarmist. Troublous times ahead for Christians especially, but really everyone. Must be prepared with right equipment, supplied by right authority.
Psalmist cries out to Yahweh 7x – v.1, 4, 6 (2x), 7, 8, 12: save me from evil hearts and tongues, save me from evil hands and traps, only God can take care of me, only God can take care of them, God will prevail.
A. rescue me from evil hearts and tongues v.1-3
first things first, because things lead to things – prayer, crying out to God first… that shapes rest of thinking and response
will not properly grasp greatness of God when focused on “greatness” of problems
will not properly grasp compassion of Yahweh, covenant personal God, when focused on hatred of enemies
this kind of request, way of thinking the right outcome / application of previous psalm with 3 omni’s
if God is omni…, focus on him first, seek help from him first, expect him to answer
character of enemies: evil and violent, totally corrupt, rotten to the core – too harsh? see Rom. 3:10-13ff
hasn’t gotten to what they do, only who they are: refutes “product of environment” idea
evil – that way by nature (children of wrath, Eph.), not simply ones who do evil
violent – outward violence evidence of inward conflict; seen in practice of cruely and injustice
think war against sin hard to deal with, imagine war against God! will eventually boil over somewhere
actions of enemies
planning (2a) – not reactionary, instead subtle and devious; generally put far more thought into actions than Christians!
pooling resources (2b) – “enemy of enemy is friend”; working together to work the crowd
preparing (3a) – gather resources and weapons, not waiting till last minute
actions those of working a plan to have maximum effect, clearly something Satan would incite
intentions of enemies – to do harm to all who oppose, who represent some sort of “threat”
stir up conflict (2b) – cry loudly for world peace, continuously stir up personal conflict, pit others against one another
to extent Christians fall for it, fight with each other, make Satan’s job easier
cause injury (3a) – not a game, intend to do real and serious harm; much of time, desire to hurt
ultimately neutralize opposition (3b) – would settle for neutralizing, many cases prefer destruction; don’t want to deal, don’t want reminders either
common weapon: words – criticism, false accusation, insinuation, spin, lack of context, misinterpretation
B. shelter me from evil hands and traps v.4-5
danger / opposition from enemies can be physical as well as verbal
Satan’s goal in all things: destruction, will use all in his power to achieve… including willing agents
Americans no longer immune to physical violence against Christians – church burnings, shootings
intention is to discredit, destroy reputation, derail forward progress of believer
work to set up scenarios where godly, caught off guard, reacts/responds badly
use temptation, deception, whatever it takes to divert Christian from staying true to profession… then say “looky there”
if possible, thru repetition, cause believer to question own spiritual condition or worse
proud people hate to be shown up… especially by humble believer, will try to knock them down
use any means available to cause trouble for child of God, again, ultimate goal to destroy
don’t be surprised when pagans act like pagans – be surprised and thankful for God’s restraining hand when they don’t!
truth is, we need rescuing and shelter from God’s enemies who are our enemies; God alone can meet need
C. only God can take care of me v.6-8
cry for help didn’t come out of nowhere – was the recognized voice of a child calling
not like 9/11 – huge shake-up, let’s make nice to God, ask him to help, maybe he’ll be nice guy and answer
one praying already in relationship – “you are my God”… based on relationship I’m asking
nothing tentative in request: confident expression of hope and assurance
you are strong one, source of salvation – one on whom he depended for protection and deliverance
don’t forget whose strength is important: “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10) – psalmist didn’t ask for strength, instead depended on God’s superior strength
is God who is his helmet of salvation, who covers his head in battle – both practical and spiritual application
practical – providing physical protection from all sorts of harm that would disable or destroy
spiritual – provides guard against deception, diversion, discouragement (attacks on mind and soul)
no human helper can cover all bases all the time – needs three omni’s to achieve with certainty
not just prayer that God would help his child, request he would frustrate the enemy
“do not let the wicked have their way” NET – beyond psalmist’s capability to change course of events but not God’s
of course, gives the wicked a fever; doesn’t give up trying, perhaps knows deep down is God thwarting him
“do not allow their plan to succeed” NET – from human perspective, wicked will succeed: have far more numbers and resources than the godly
pride of wicked takes serious hit when plans and boasts fail; worse when destruction planned for others falls on them
is only God who can for certain bring plans and designs of wicked to nothing and prevent godly from harm
D. only God can take care of them v.9-11
if evil speech and efforts of evildoers boomerangs on themselves, God must be one to do it
praying for poetic justice – instead of bringing harm to innocent, bring it on themselves
in each request, is a one-for-one kind of retribution – harm the evildoer thought was appropriate for someone else becomes theirs
not the psalmist on personal vendetta, not asking God to let him pull the trigger; is asking God to carry out justice
as always, God has prerogative to use method of his own choosing – may even choose to convert enemy into child
psalmist’s request goes far beyond consequences for evildoer – wants an end to evil and violence and untruth worldwide
prays for judgment on evildoer so that good and justice and truth will prevail… for more than just himself personally
what about application for today? ISIS and airplanes and movie theaters and guys like Jihadi John?
those whom God has appointed his agents for justice (civil gov’t) must do their part to deal with evil
those whom God has adopted into his family must pray for his help, for God to do what God must do… for sake of people in Middle East… and Russia… and France… and whole earth
E. God will prevail v.12-13
psalmist didn’t end in pessimistic gloom, neither shall we – Longfellow almost right “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail”
isn’t just right that prevails, God prevails – is God who defends oppressed, executes justice for the needy
is God who is praised and thanked for his marvelous works on behalf of his people
is God who ensures that righteous receive their promised reward – blessing of his presence
let’s get a little more specific – all this brought about by Lord Jesus during First and Second Advents
was Jesus whom God sent to wage war on sin, Satan and death – he won glorious victory at Calvary, finalized at end
because of his victory, what Jesus accomplished that poor and oppressed can be defended and vindicated
is Lord Jesus who promised to return and take his followers to be with him in answer to his prayer (John 17:24)
True, is only right to be upset/grieved by evil taking place in our world. Must not become complacent, desensitized to plight of others including brothers and sisters. Can’t rightly take attitude that Rapture’s coming so not important what happens in world. Shouldn’t be overcome with fear and worry either. Psalmist nailed it: trust God, pray for his help and intervention, keep eyes on the one who wins. God owns all things, God rules all things, Jesus is King and will have last word.
Reformanda 