Knowing The Wicked Man Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1a). The Characteristics of a Wicked

• they are proud (vs 1)

• they have a sharp tongue (vs 2)

• they are lovers of evil (vs 3)

(1b). The End of the Wicked

• they are brought to ruin (vs 5a)

• they are unable to hide (vs 5b)

• they are uprooted (vs 5c)

(2). The Character of the Righteous

• they are observant(vs 6-7).

• they are strong and fruitful (vs 8).

• they are trusting in God’s love (vs 8b).

• they are praising God (vs 9)

SERMON BODY:

Quote: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956

“If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”

• Solzhenitsin is spot on, as the saying goes:

• “The heart of the problem is the problem of the human heart!”

• This Psalm will describe for us both a wicked and righteous man;

• And I trust we are all seeking to be the later!

INTRODUCTION:

• The psalm begins with a superscription, A title;

• (most Bibles – not all - contain them);

“For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.””

• This title of this psalm is telling us;

• That the background of the psalm is believed to revolve around Doeg the Edomite.

• Now most of us will probably say; “Doeg who?”

• Well we read about Doeg in 1 Samuel chapters 21 & 22.

• Doeg was one of Saul’s chief shepherds (1 Samuel chapter 21 verse 7).

• King Saul is chasing after David, trying to kill him.

• Doeg informs Saul that David had gone to Ahimelech, the priest at Nob,

• And received provisions and Goliath’s sword from him.

• Doeg tells Saul this because he wants to gain greater favour with the king.

• Saul then charges Ahimelech with conspiracy;

• And ordered his guards to kill Ahimelech and his whole family.

• If you know the story, you are aware that the guards refuse,

• Not to obey the kings order was a brave or a very stupid thing to do.

• But they displayed bravery because they recognised;

• That it was sinful to raise their hands against the anointed servants of the Lord.

• So with his guards refusing king Saul then orders Doeg to kill Ahimelech and his family.

• And Doeg who is not a particularly nice guy obeys!

• Sadly we read in 1 Samuel chapter 22 verses 18-19:

“So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep”

• It is a horrific wicked thing to do;

• Many believe this is the situation that compelled David to compose this psalm.

(1A). THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A WICKED MAN (VS 1-4)

(A). THEY ARE PROUD (VS 1)

“Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?

Why do you boast all day long,

you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?”

• What Doeg did was a horrible evil.

• Yet as bad as his actions were, it got even worse;

• For Doeg was proud and boastful of what he had done!

• How base and corrupt must this man have been?

But Doeg is a good example of the nature and characteristic of the wicked.

• They are proud of their actions.

• They do not see that what they have done is evil.

• Their consciences are not moved when they act with such guile.

Ill:

• If you watch TV sadly there are so many ‘reality’ shows that promote this behaviour:

• Young people proud to be getting drunk night after night.

• Criminals proud of the crimes they have committed and seem to have gotten away with

• The Doeg’s of the world;

• See themselves as clever and they are absorbed in their own supposed wisdom.

(B). THEY HAVE A SHARP TONGUE (VS 2)

“You who practice deceit,

your tongue plots destruction;

it is like a sharpened razor.”

• The wicked have a tongue like a razor blade.

• They say things that are cutting and hurtful to others.

• It becomes second nature to speak things that cause emotional pain.

• Sadly many a Christian has also opened their mouths before engaging their brains;