Sunday, September 5, 2004 pm
THE LORD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
Psalm 9
As we continue examining the psalms from time to time, we now come to one that
is a little longer and dealing with God’s judgment. Its superscription, like so
many of them is a mystery with some believing it has reference to a specific
tune, or an instrument, or to one of the Levitical singers used in worship to
God. Spurgeon in his Treasury of David, says this, “If
either of these conjectures should be correct, the title of Muth-Labben has no
teaching for us, except it is meant to show us how careful David was that in the
worship of God, all things should be done according to due order.”
Within that phrase is a lesson for us within itself and something worthy of
consideration.
The NKJV says of this superscription, “To the tune of ‘Death of
the son’”. The psalm as a whole portrays victory of the righteous and
deliverance from enemies, either a nation or some individual, probably on some
specific occasion, not mentioned.
Our goal in this study is to glean the overall meaning of the psalm, noting some specific phrases, especially concerning judgment.
I. The Judgment of God
a. God judges in at least 3 ways:
i. Nationally – He is in control of nations and can build them up or bring them down at His discretion. The Old Testament prophets are a history of God’s dealings with many nations – including Israel and Judah, both righteous and unrighteous. I am a believer that this still applies in many instances.
ii.
Individually – At times we are chastened upon this earth as we do wrong.
Hebrews 12:5-6. Also, through providence I believe God can affect the lives of
individuals.
Many of David’s psalms, including this one, are a call for God to deal with our
enemies.
iii. The final judgment – we all will stand before Him and give account. The righteous will be rewarded with heaven and the unrighteous will be eternally doomed to hell. Many of the phrases in this psalm are echoed in the New Testament concerning that final judgment.
II. Psalm 9 - Overview
a.
David praises God (1-2)
As David always did, He begins by praising God realizing the source of his great
joy
It was not his intent to hide this from anyone. Why?
1) He was not ashamed. Rather he was proud of his God and His blessings
2) Others needed to hear it – they needed to turn to God if they were His
enemies.
b. In judgment, God has defeated David’s enemies. They are utterly destroyed and remembered no more. (3-8). According to vs. 5, whoever the enemy was, they were COMPLETELY removed as the three descriptions show.
c. At the same time He is a refuge for the oppressed. He does not forget His people (9-12)
d. David pleads for God’s continued deliverance (13-14)
e. 15-20 repeat in more succinct fashion the points of 3-14
III. God’s Judgment in Psalm 9 (3-12)
a.
God’s enemies were David’s enemies. As we have noted before – Rather than being
a personal vendetta, David’s desire was that God’s will prevail. (3)
WHO are YOUR enemies? Are they the enemies of God?
b. God
sat on His throne judging in righteousness (4). Also mentioned in vs. 8. – READ
IT
God’s is a righteous judge - Romans 2:5-6 – He is a righteous Judge;
1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus committed Himself to Him who judges righteously
Rest assured, His judgment will be in righteousness –
We continually hear of the love of God and how He doesn’t want any to perish.
But what is often ignored is His righteousness – which means being right. To be
fair to those who have faithfully served Him, God HAS to take vengeance on those
who do not obey the gospel – 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8; Romans 2:5-9; Also 11:22 –
“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God; On those who fell
severity; but toward you goodness IF you continue in His goodness…”
c. BUT the Lord God endures forever – constant and He cannot be stopped
d. He
has prepared His throne for judgment - (the judgment seat) (7). Understand that
God is READY to judge – Acts 17:30-31 – He has appointed a day.
The “delay” is for our sakes – 2 Peter 3:9
e. He
has not forsaken those who seek him (10-12).
Not only will the wicked be punished, but the righteous will be remembered –
Both Romans 2 and 2 Thess. 1 point this out.
We sometimes wonder why God allows the wickedness to prevail. We wonder if He
has forgotten us. He hasn’t.
Who are the righteous? Those who put their trust in His name and seek after
Him. Those who humble themselves in His sight and declare His deeds among the
people.
A call to sing praises to the Lord and a declaration of His deeds among the
people (11-12).
f. The
Lord is known by the judgment He executes – (16).
Some choose to know Him now and submit to Him in obedience and humility
Others refuse to accept Him now but rest assured they WILL bow before Him –
Philippians 2:9-11, Romans 14:10-12
g.
Judgment contrasted – the righteous and the wicked (both judged at the same
time) (17-18) -
Both the righteous and the wicked will be judged at the same time – John 5:28-29
h. The
wicked will be turned into hell. The Hebrew word here is Sheol meaning usually
“the grave”.
Here it is contrasted with the righteous indicating a place different
Luke 16:23 – the rich man (and Lazarus) lifted his eyes in Torments in great
horror and suffering. 2 Peter 2:4 – a place of chains reserved for angels (a
different word)
Hell – is the eternal place of the damned – Usually, Jesus used the word Gehenna,
describing the most detestable place He could find. Jesus spoke of a place
prepared for “the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41) Revelation speaks of
the lake of fire and brimstone where Satan is cast (20:10). It is also the
place for anyone not found written in the book of life (20:15) and 21:8 which
describes many who are unrepentant sinners.
The point in this is THE WICKED and ungodly WILL PAY
David’s ultimate request is found in the concluding verse – “Put them in fear O Lord, That the nations may know themselves to be but men.” (20). Do you know your place before God. Are we ready for His judgment?