BIG IDEA:
THE VICIOUS ATTACKS OF THE WICKED
CAN NEVER CANCEL OUT THE LOVINGKINDNESS OF GOD
I. (:1-4) EXPOSING THE VICIOUS ATTACKS OF THE WICKED FOR WHAT THEY ARE
A. (:1) The Wicked Boast in Empty Victories
1. Their Heart is bent on Evil
2. Their Opinion of themselves is Inflated
Sarcasm = "o mighty one"
3. The Lovingkindness of God can never by cancelled out
B. (:2-4) The Wicked Pursue Deceit and Destruction
the tongue = especially strong weapon (cf. James 4)
II. (:5-7) EXECUTING THE WICKED TO THE DELIGHT OF THE RIGHTEOUS
A. (:5) The Execution of the Wicked
Certain
Final
B. (:6-7) The Delight of the Righteous
1. Increases their fear of God
2. Vindicates their commitment to trust in God
a. Derision towards the arrogant wicked
b. Refutation of their Worldliness = their world view
1) They refused to trust in God
2) They chose to trust in their riches
3) They pursued their own evil desires
III. (:8-9) EXPLAINING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS
(in the lovingkindness of God)
A. Image of Fruitfulness and Blessing
"I am like a green olive tree in the house of God"
B. Explanation of World View of the Righteous
1. They trust in the lovingkindness of God
2. They give thanks
3. They wait on God for ultimate deliverance and blessing
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) Why is it so popular (and considered a valid form of humor) for people to cut others down and use their tongue as a “sharp razor” for the purpose of “destruction”? Are we careful to use our tongue as a fountain of blessing?
2) Note God’s forbearance and lovingkindness as we see that the wicked:
- loves evil more than good
- practices falsehood rather than speaking the truth
- boasts in evil
But God’s wrath will eventually fall and fall swiftly and fall severely.
3) What’s so good about a “green olive tree”? What type of growth and fruit is God producing in our lives as we worship in His presence?
4) Is our life characterized by continually giving God thanks for all His wonderful works (“Thou hast done it”) and for His faithfulness in coming through for us according to all of His attributes (“I will wait on Thy name, for it is good”)?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
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