Psalm 109

When a wicked person speaks lies against the righteous, can God remain silent?

We need to hear His voice. “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you... I have loved you with an everlasting love... You are mine... I will not leave you as orphans... I will come to you.”

What will our attitude be toward the one wronging us? God is just. This psalm calls down His destruction upon the betrayer. It is quoted in the New Testament by Peter when he speaks about Judas, “May another take his office.”

Yet Jesus said about those who were killing Him, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) When Stephen was being stoned he said, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)

The Lord alone can sort this out. Vengeance belongs to Him. He will bring horrible justice upon the oppressors of His people (2 Thessalonians 1), but we follow our Lord's example and open our mouths with the victory of earnest grace, even with breakthrough petitions for those who hate us.

We also remember what our Lord has taken on the cross. Our sins.

If all we have before us is the perfect justice of Almighty God, who can stand? But we have much more than justice. “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

What did Saul of Tarsus deserve for His persecution of Jewish followers of Jesus?

What do I deserve?

But the steadfast love of the Lord is good. He delivered His righteous Son from the lips of liars and even from the grave. Our hope is entirely in Him.

Wicked men have their purposes, but the sovereign Lord is working out His holy will. Focus your heart's full affection upon Him, and let the love of Jesus fill you. May you sing forth the praise of God in the Assembly of His children forever.