This psalm is appropriately titled “Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So” (just like the old song named after it). The main part of the psalm describes several scenarios of distress, followed be the people being redeemed by the Lord, though we’ll focus on the final few verses.
“He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (v33-43)
These last few verses are very striking for me – there is fantastic contrast and resolution for those innermost desires God places in our hearts. I’m speaking of those drivers such as justice and equity. The psalmist promises that God will deliver, bless and provide for His people (“the hungry”, “the needy”, “the upright”, “the wise”) and will punish those who do not choose to follow Him (“the evil”, “the wicked”, “the oppressors”, “the princes”, “the unwise”). Doesn’t that fulfill our (and God’s) desire for justice in this world?
This may be difficult for us to see in our present circumstances – it appears that wickedness is flourishing and righteousness is being thwarted at every turn. We don’t need to look very far to get this picture – any schoolyard, any 10 minutes of the news, any given day in the trenches of life – it seems like the righteous are fighting a losing battle.
Despite appearances, God promises us the complete opposite, that justice will prevail and those who remain faithful to Him will ultimately be rewarded. A seldom-taught passage, yet one of my favorites to study, is Jesus’ teaching on final judgement:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mt 25:31-46 abr)
This passage sounds parallel to the teaching of the psalmist – both promise eternity and salvation for followers of Jesus, and a less-than-appealing end for those who choose not to follow.
What does this mean for us today? It encourages me to model the Good Shepherd wherever I go, imitating Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit. This is the only way I can help encourage more people to be like “sheep” rather than “goats”. If we model Jesus to the world, and allow the Spirit to work within them, hopefully they will join us at Jesus’ right hand. The more the merrier, there is plenty of room in our Father’s house. Our infinite God has infinite room is His heart and kingdom, and all are equally welcomed (even I, the chief of sinners, is welcomed in the kingdom).
Father God all honor, praise and glory be to You, the sovereign ruler of this universe. Jesus, You are a just and righteous king who has compassion and love for all who profess Your name (and even those who don’t). If we have any unrighteousness remaining within, would You please cleanse it and soften our hearts so we may be better representatives of You to this world. Please empower us through Your Holy Spirit to reach the lost goats who are in need of Your salvation – may You work in us and through us to redeem them and bring them into the sheepfold. Holy Spirit please help us to do this. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training