After reading this psalm twice, I wondered how to pray over it. King David called upon God to destroy his enemies and was blunt. If you watch those older movies where it’s obvious the one dressed in black is the villain character, and the one dressed in lighter clothing is the hero. A version of good and evil, but here it’s king David’s prayer over his enemies, which are also God’s enemies.
What are God’s attributes, his promises, and our responsibilities in all this? Are we to sharpen our weapons and engage in war when surrounded by enemies? That was for king David and not for us. Right? Why not skip this psalm and move to the next one instead of dreading this psalm? Because in all seasons, we pray increasingly. Then I asked myself, who is my enemy? Without hesitation, I knew it was Satan and all his schemers, hating God’s saints.
Gods of this World
Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? 2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.
O Father, the gods of this world are like a roaring lion devouring your saints. Their unceasing wrongs and violence on earth have reached the surface of this world, and there is no place to hide. My refuge is in your stronghold where your steadfast love and righteousness abound. You heard my cries for justice, and revenge is Yours. The gods of this world manipulated decrees and judged unrighteously, for their hearts are filled with greed, sexual immorality, and a thirst for power.
You are the truth, God. The all-powerful God in this world. All people will bow at your feet. You’re reigning on the throne of grace and mercy. Your saving grace never failed to call people to You. Your redeeming plan of salvation is unfailing. You’re the lover of our souls. At the Cross of Calvary, our soul finds refuge.
The Cunning Enchanter
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. 4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, 5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter.
O Jesus strengthened our hearts so we wouldn’t fear those who hate us. Let us cling to you when the venom of the wicket strikes with lies and deceit. Leading us away from reading your Word or our time alone in prayer with You, or enjoying our relationship with other Christians. Let your servant wait with courage till your return. The cunning Enchanter is a god of deception whose mouth craves my destruction. In Your arms, my soul rests and finds peace, for we know you’re the Almighty God.
He Aimed His Arrows
6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! 7 Let them vanish like water that runs away;when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. 8 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. 9 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
In Your promises, our hope rest. Jesus Christ, our Savior, has done the work of deliverance and redemption, crushing Satan’s head. Oh, what a powerful sign of love you’ve for us, Jesus. If my feet wandered away because of our weak mind, forgive us and call us back to our knees in repentance. We’re the children of God in who we believe Jesus Christ, ‘My heart is steadfast for God! I will sing and make melody!’
God is Judge
10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.” Footnotes
Our reward for the righteous is with God, who judges on earth. We cried out to God Most High for justice, for our nations have rejected Jesus Christ, cast out God from every institution, and live their lives in open disobedience. Be merciful to us, O God, in your anger, do not destroy us, for we are like children scattered and needing a Shepherd. Revive our churches. Teach us discernment and not to fall into sin. Protect from evil and not live and speak lies. Deliverer from the hold of deception. Let Your steadfast love dwell in our hearts.
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