Psalm 64: Hidden Thoughts, Cross Purposes

The weekend Psalm for:

February 13-14, 2010

Read Psalm 64 from the English Standard Version

(Link Opens In a New Window)

The Big Idea

Today, a man had his day in court--given the outcome, this was the first of many. His world has crumbled, he has been indicted for fraud, and he is $750 million dollars in debt. Read that last phrase again: Three-fourths of a billion dollars. Frankly, it's more than I can wrap my mind around. 

The car dealer who stood before a judge today is the third high-profile local leader to fall in this way. 

This Psalm has one over-riding idea: The day of justice will come. As one of my old friends is fond of saying: "The wheels grind slowly, but they grind fine."

As it says in Numbers 32:23: "...your sin will find you out." I've always thought it interesting that it does not say that your sin will be found out--it says your sin will find you out --in other words, what you do reveals who you really are.

So, is this a Psalm of hope, or of judgement? Yes. This Psalm demonstrates the truth that God will ultimately see that justice is done. There are only three options available: Rejoice, repent, or continue to live in denial.  

Meditation 

This Psalm pleads for God's protection. There are people who are to be feared--the oppressors; those who trap others through ruthless schemes; those who lie in wait for an opportunity to take advantage of the weak.

In God's economy, survival of the fittest breaks down. Ultimately, those who take advantage of the weak will be called into account by the only one who truly is "the fittest." Those who are weak can celebrate that they have a champion for justice. Those who wreak injustice on others shall someday have their day in court. 

This weekend, take stock of your own life. Are you an oppressor, or are you oppressed? If you chose the latter, think again. And again. And again. Then, give thanks for Jesus Christ, who redeems us, brings us to repentance, and transforms us. We are all guilty. Jesus alone is mighty to save--in Christ alone can we read this psalm and rejoice.  

Praying With This Psalm

You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others. 

• Father God, let _________ examine their own life and assess their own life. Are they among the wicked who make plots against others; do they sharpen their words to do harm to those around them; do they think that because they will never be called to account? 
• Oh Lord, our Redeemer, open ______'s eyes that they can see their ways and evaluate them by your standards. May they turn to you in repentance before their heard becomes so hard that they can never change.  
• Almighty God, may ______ know what it means to rejoice in you because of your great salvation. 

Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers

• Romans 2:4. God is not ignoring injustice--he is patient...
  Father God, may ______ not presume on your mercies, but understand that when you withhold judgement for a time, it is because you desire to show them mercy. May they recognize that no one ever "gets away" with anything.
• Romans 5:11. The oppressor can be reconciled...
  Lord Jesus Christ, may _____ rejoice in the Lord through Jesus Christ, for he is the source of our reconciliation, both to God and to others.
• Matt 5:11. It is better to be oppressed than to oppress...
  Almighty God, may ______ know that there is a blessing in enduring suffering and persecution. If they are causing suffering, bring them to repentance. If they are enduring suffering, may your peace rest upon them.   

(Some Rights Reserved, CC-BY-NC, 2010). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD)