“Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!” (v1-7)
This Psalm has a very specific context – it is in response to the events of 1 Sam 21-22. David, who is fleeing for his life from King Saul, stops in the Lord’s temple and talks to the priests. The priests pray for him, give him the sword of Goliath (who David killed), and David continues on his way. A witness to the exchange, named Doeg, tells Saul about how the priests helped David. Saul orders Doeg to kill all of the priests so he destroyed everyone in Nob, the “city of priests”, including 85 men, plus their women, children and livestock. So, David is actually being kind by calling Doeg nothing more than a liar/deceiver, despite the fact he’s a mass-murderer.
David does something that Saul and Doeg would probably find quite surprising – he leaves justice in God’s hands: “But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.” (v5) The typical OT way of correcting injustice was this passage (which was often used out of context): “But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” (Ex 21:23-25) David, seems to take the more Christlike approach: ” ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.’ ” (Mat 5:38-39) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Rom 12:19, see also Heb 10:30, both referring to Deu 32:35-41)
There is more than one occasion where David has a chance to kill King Saul, and though he condemns the actions of Saul and Doeg, he does the right thing by leaving vengeance in the hands of God.
Father God, there are so many atrocities in this broken world. We can’t turn on the news without seeing the latest in a 6000-year-long list of horrible things that people do to each other out of blindness from sin. Father God please help our eyes to be opened to You, that we would only rely on You for justice and deliverance. Yes, You have appointed officials and servants to help minimize some of the chaos, and we thank You for each of them. We pray for strength and wisdom for our leaders and emergency workers and those who put their life on the line to protect the innocent. May we Your people continue to encourage and equip those called to positions of maintaining justice and righteousness in this world – I do not envy the burdens they carry. Father please pour out Your spirit in those who most need Your strength and boldness, may You give them discerning hearts as they seek to preserve, reconcile and restore broken people and broken lives. Thank you father for making Your presence known through the people You call to protect this world from itself. We praise You for any and all safety and justice that You do provide, and we look forward to a day when these types of roles are no longer necessary. Praise be to You, the God of David who protects the innocent and judges the unrighteous, something I am not qualified to do. May You please remind us of our callings, and our places in Your kingdom here on earth, so we may respect and support those to whom You’ve given these responsibilities.
~ Conqueror in Training