PSALM

GOOD THOUGHTS FOR BAD TIMES–PSALM 12:1-8

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
PSALM 12:1-8

Introduction:
This psalm is supposed to have been written while Saul was persecuting David, and those who favored his cause. Here David expresses his complaint before the Lord concerning the treachery of his age.
It appears that man has not changed much since David’s time. Everything we find in this psalm can be placed in our day. It is interesting what Amos says of his time many years later: Amos 5:13, “Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.”
I. WHAT MAKES BAD TIMES? vv. 1-2
A. The world’s view of what makes bad times:
1. Scarcity of money, 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
2. Decay of trade, Genesis 34:21, “These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.”
3. The desolation of war, Genesis 14:2, “That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.”
B. God’s view of what makes bad times, 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
1. When the godly man ceases and the faithful fail, Jeremiah 5:1, “Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.”
2. When dissimulation and flattery have corrupted and debauched all conversation, v. 2; Psalm 36:3,4 “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. 4- He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
a. They speak LIES (vanity), Psalms 10:7, “His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.”
b. They speak with a DOUBLE HEART, v. 2; Proverbs 29:5,“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.”
II. DAVID DENOUNCES JUDGEMENT UPON THE PROUD vv. 3-4
A. The proud say, “With our tongue will we prevail,” v. 4; Psalms 73:8, “They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.”
1. They speak AGAINST THE LORD, Psalms 139:20, “For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
2. The enemies of God are very self-confident, Romans 2:19-20, “And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20- An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
C. WHO is lord over us? Exodus 5:2, “And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.”
1. Man is experiencing the REVOLT of the tongue, James 3:6, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
2. The method of its rebellion is FLATTERY and speaking proud things, Job 21:14, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.”
III. GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES vv. 5-8
A. Now will I arise saith the LORD, v. 5; Psalms 10:12, “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.”
1. God will say, “enough is enough,” Exodus 2:23, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.”
2. I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him, v.5; Psalms 146:7-8, “Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: 8- The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:”
B. God’s Word is PURE and TRIED, v. 6; Psalms 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
1. Man’s words are yea and nay, but the Lord’s promises are yea and amen, Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

2. His Word is purified SEVEN TIMES:

“In the original there is an allusion to the most severely purifying process known to the ancients, through which silver was passed when the greatest possible purity was desired; the dross was all consumed, and only the bright and precious metal remained; so clear and free from all alloy of error or unfaithfulness is the book of the words of the Lord.” —Spurgeon.

C. God will PROTECT His people, v. 7; Psalms 37:28, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”
Conclusion:

“Here we return to the fount of bitterness, which first made the psalmist run to the wells of salvation, namely, the prevalence of wickedness.” In our day as well “the wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted. However, the Lord knows this and marks His time to return after His children.

THE SONG OF THE STEADFAST–PSALM 11:1-7

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
PSALM 11:1-7THE SONG OF THE STEADFAST–PSALM 11:1-7
Introduction:
In this psalm David is tempted to flee from the persecution of King Saul. His life was in danger and the temptation to run from danger challenged his confidence in God.
“The psalm’s message is as follows: faced with the temptation to flee at a time when lawful authority was being destroyed, the psalmist held fast to his faith in the Lord, who will ultimately destroy the wicked whom He hates and deliver the righteous whom He loves.” —The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
I.   DAVID IS TEMPTED TO FLEE FROM PERSECUTION
A. The righteous soul is vexed by the ungodly deeds of the lost, 2 Peter 2:7-8, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8-(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.”
B. My trust is in the Lord, v. 1; Psalm 7:1, “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”
1. The Lord has never forsaken His people, Psalms 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
2. Let me not be ashamed before my enemies, Psalms 25:2, “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”
C. How can my enemies say to me to flee like a bird?
1. They said the same to the Lord, Luke 13:31, “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.”
2. David often pictured himself as a bird:
a. David in prosperity, when commanding was like an EAGLE, Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
b. In adversity, when despised, like an OWL, Psalm 102:6, “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.”
c. In devotion, when retired, like a PELICAN, Psalm 102:6, “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.”
d. In solitariness, when having no company, (of Saul), like a PARTRIDGE, 1 Samuel 26:20, “Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.”
3. My enemies make themselves ready in private, v. 2; Psalms 37:14, “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.”
D. The foundations had been destroyed, v. 3:
1. Saul had destroyed the justice system of his day, Psalms 82:5, “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”
2. David was “The restorer of paths to dwell in,” Isaiah 58:12, “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
II. DAVID DEMONSTRATES HIS FAITH IN THE LORD
A. David declare the source of his unflinching courage, v. 4; Psalms 18:6, ‘In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”
B. God tries or refines the righteous, v. 5; Psalms 17:3, “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
1. God exercises the righteous by afflictions, Zechariah 13:9, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”
2. Blessed is the man that endures trials, James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [takes trials patiently]: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
C. The wicked have only judgment to look forward to, vv. 5-6;
1. God hates and punishes sin, Isaiah 24:17, “Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.”
2. God cannot stand sin in His presence, Habakkuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”
D. The overwhelming reason why we should be steadfast, v. 7; Psalms 5:12, “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
1. He blesses us with His presence in our lives, Psalms 33:18, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;”
2. His ears are open to our prayers, 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
3. He forgives all of our sins, Psalms 25:18, “Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.”
CONCLUSION:
This is truly the song of Steadfastness. David was encouraged by the Lord during his difficult trials and remains steadfast. We have the same encouragement from the Word of God to remain firm in our convictions and trust the Lord in difficult times. After all the difficult time are merely exercises in faithfulness for us.

GOD IS NOT IN MAN’S THOUGHTS–PSALM 10:1-11

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
GOD IS NOT IN MAN’S THOUGHTS–PSALM 10:1-11

Key verse: v. 4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”

Introduction:

This psalm doesn’t seem to have a title and is considered by some to be a part of the ninth psalm. “The prevailing theme seems to be the oppression and persecution of the wicked, we will, therefore, for our own guidance, entitle it, THE CRY OF THE OPPRESSED.” —Spurgeon.

At times the Lord appears to be far off instead of “a very present help in trouble.” The presence of God is the joy of his people, but any suspicion of his absence is distracting beyond measure. However, the Lord is never far off from the furnace when his children are being refined. Consider the following thoughts:

I. THE CHARACTER OF THE OPPRESSER

A. He oppresses in his pride, v. 2; Psalms 73:6, “Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.”

1. The charge of pride, Psalms 31:18, “Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.”

2. The charge of tyranny, Psalms 140:5, “The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me.”

B. He is a covetous individual, v. 3; Ephesians 5:5, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

1. They trust in their wealth, Psalms 49:6, “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;”

2. They speak loftily or arrogantly, Psalms 73:8,9 “They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9- They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.”

3. They are boastful, Psalms 94:4, “How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?”

II. THE HARDNESS OF THE HEART OF UNBELIEF

A. He will not seek God, v. 4; Isaiah 55:6, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”

1. The Lord has not spoken in secret, Isaiah 45:19, “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.”

2. The Lord’s righteousness is not far off, Isaiah 46:13, “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.”

B. His ways are grievous and painful, v. 5; Hosea 9:9, “They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.”

1. God gives the sinner travail or work, Ecclesiastes 2:26, “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.”

2. He walks in the ways of darkness, Proverbs 2:13, 15, “Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 15- Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:”

C. God’s judgments or laws are far above his sight, and finds no place in his life, v. 5; Psalm 92:5-6, “O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. 6- A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.”

1. They regard not the work of the Lord, Isaiah 5:12, “And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.”

2. They have made a covenant with death and hell, Isaiah 28:15, “Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:”

D. Man has refused to consider what God has done to bring him to salvation, vv. 6-11; Isaiah 42:25, “Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.”

1. Man continues to be perverse, Psalms 5:9, “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.”

2. He deceives with his mouth, Psalms 36:3, “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.”

3. Wickedness is sweet in his mouth, Job 20:12, “Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;”

4. Even the religious were evil in the Lord’s day as in our day, Matthew 12:34, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

E. Man deceives himself regarding God’s judgment, v. 11; Ecclesiastes 8:11, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

1. They say, “the Lord has forsaken the earth,” Ezekiel 8:12, “Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.”

2. Our land is full of blood and the city is full of perverseness, Ezekiel 9:9, “Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.”

CONCLUSION:

God is well aware of what is happening around His people and will bring judgment in His own time. He is aware of the persecution and difficulties of His people. Yet He continues to offer salvation to those who will trust Him as Savior.

MAN, GOD’S PRIMARY WORK–PSALM 8:3-9

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
MAN, GOD’S PRIMARY WORK
PSALM 8:3-9

Psalm 144:3, “LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!”

Introduction:

The Bible tells us about man in Hebrews 2:7, “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:”

Man is insignificant in the scope of the universe, yet God cares for him immensely. It amazed David that the Lord of the universe even thinks about man. Even the Hebrew word rendered “man” expresses the frailty of man rather than any strength or power that he possesses.

I. THE PERFECT MAN FALLS

A. Man was created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26-27, And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

1. Man was made upright, Ecclesiastes 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

2. God gave man dominion over the entire earth, Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

3. God gave man one law to regulate his activity, Genesis 2:16-17, And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17- But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

B. Man disobeys God, Genesis 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

1. Man became wicked, Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

2. Man is wicked from his youth, Genesis 8:21, “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.”

3. How can a man be just before God? Job 9:2, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?”

a. Can he contend with God? Job 9:3-4, If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4-He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?”

b. Can I justify myself? Job 9:20, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.”

c. Can I wash myself in snow? Job 9:29-31, “If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? 30- If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; 31- Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.”

II. THE SECOND PERFECT MAN GIVES HIS LIFE

A. Jesus Christ is the last Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:45-47, And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46- Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47- The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

1. The first Adam.

a. Made a living soul, Genesis 2: 7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

b. The first Adam was a natural man, Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”

c. The first Adam was of the earth, earthy, John 3:13, 31, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 31-He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.”

2. The Last Adam.

a. He was made a quickening spirit, John 5:21, 25-26, “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26- For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;”

b. The Last Adam is spiritual, the Lord from heaven, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

III. THOSE MEN WHO WOULD BE PERFECT

A. Without holiness no man shall see God, Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

1. God has called us unto holiness, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

2. Because God is holy, 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16- Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

3. No unclean person will enter into His presence, Ephesians 5:5, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

B. They must receive Jesus Christ as Savior, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13- Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

I WILL PRAISE THEE WITH MY WHOLE HEART–PSALM 9:1-10

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
I WILL PRAISE THEE WITH MY WHOLE HEART
PSALM 9:1-10

Introduction:

David with a sincere, and affectionate, and united heart, declares his praise for the Lord. Compare Song of Solomon 1:4, “Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.”

Then compare Revelation 19:7, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

Now compare these with the first verse of this Psalm, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”

I. I WILL PRAISE THEE, O LORD

A. With my whole heart, v. 1; Psalms 111:1, “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”

1. We are blessed of God when we seek Him with our whole heart, Psalms 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

2. The man that seeks the Lord with his whole heart has a dedicated heart, Psalms 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”

B. The true praise of telling others about God’s dealings with us, Psalms 34:1, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

1. Our boast is in the Lord, Psalms 34:2, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”

2. David invites us to magnify the Lord with him, Psalms 34:3, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

II. GRATITUDE FOR ONE MERCY REFRESHES THE MEMORY AS TO THOUSANDS OF OTHERS

A. Gladness and joy are the appropriate spirit in which to praise, v. 2; Isaiah 51:11, “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

1. God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

a. Whether it be the gold of his purse, 2 Corinthians 8:12, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”

b. Or the gold of his mouth which he presents to the Lord in the form of praise, Psalm 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

B. Happy is the man who has the Lord, Psalms 146:5, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:”

III. GOD’S PRESENCE IS SUFFICIENT

A. To work the defeat of our most furious foes, v. 3; Psalms 68:1, “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

1. They shall fall and perish, Psalms 80:16, “It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.”

2. “If we seek to maintain the cause and honour of our Lord we may suffer reproach and misrepresentation, but it is a rich comfort to remember that he who sits on the throne knows our hearts, and will not leave us to the ignorant and ungenerous judgment of erring man.”

B. “God and my right,” are united by my faith, v. 4; Psalms 140:12, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.”

C. God rebukes before he destroys, but when he once comes to blows with the wicked, vv. 5-6; Psalms 2:9, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

IV. THE LORD ENDURES vv. 7-10

A. In the light of the past the future is not doubtful, Psalms 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

B. The Lord is unchanging, Hebrews 1:12, “And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”

C. The Lord will judge His people, Psalms 50:4, “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.”

1. He is a refuge for the oppressed, Psalms 32:7, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.”

2. He delivers those who put their trust in Him, Psalms 91:14, “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.”

CONCLUSION