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Psalm 94


We could well title this psalm, "The psychology of a wicked king!" It envisions a king of Israel whose idea of God is like that of many people these days. He thinks that if there is a god, then he's too great to concern Himself with events on this tiny planet. In other words, simply put, this man is an agnostic.  Such an agnotic thinks that those who live here may as well do whatever seems best to them, without regard for a far-off and uncaring God.

The psalmist, referring to a king like that, as well as to those who surround him, says, "They break in pieces Your people, O Lord, and afflict Your heritage.  They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.  Yet they say, 'The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob pay attention.'"

But there's a deadly fallacy in such thinking.  The psalmist brings out that fallacy by asking a series of questions.  He says, "Understand, you senseless among the people; and you fools - when will you be wise?  He Who planted the ear, shall He not hear?  He Who formed the eye, shall He not see?  He Who instructs the nations, shall He not correct - He Who teaches man knowledge?  The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile."

The truth is that God is not so high above everything that He doesn't pay attention - In fact it's just because He's so very great that He can and does pay attention even to the tiniest details of all the actions and even the thoughts of every man.

We should draw a very important conclusion: those who suffer under foolish and godless "authorities" here on earth can be absolutely confident that God is aware, that God is concerned, that He's present and active here on earth - right now!  Therefore, says the psalmist, "Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.  For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance!" 

Even when foolish atheists are in power we need not be disheartened.  We need only continue to be instructed by God's Word and continue to do right - for every jot and tittle of that Word will indeed be effective, and the wicked WILL finally be dealt with. The faithful people of God WILL triumph at last. 

They will finally be able to say with the psalmist, "If I say, 'My foot slips,' Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul!"  They will be able to say at last, ". . . the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of refuge.  He has brought upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; the Lord our God shall cut them off!"

Dear saint of God, trust in the Lord - Whose greatness doesn't mean that He doesn't care about the actions of men, but Whose greatness means that He DOES care about - and deal with - every action of every man.