There is a God Who Judges the Earth

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

There is a God Who Judges the Earth

Date: Sep. 2, 2021

Passage

Psalm 58:1-11 (ESV)

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David.

1   Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
    Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
2   No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
    your hands deal out violence on earth.
3   The wicked are estranged from the womb;
    they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
4   They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
    like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
5   so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
    or of the cunning enchanter.
6   O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
    tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
7   Let them vanish like water that runs away;
    when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
8   Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,
    like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
9   Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
    whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
10   The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
    he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11   Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
    surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 58:11

Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

The language of this psalm could seem a little severe to us. However, to those suffering oppression and persecution by their government, it may not read as severe. Rulers should speak justly and judge with equity, but the rulers in this psalm did not. They invented new forms of injustice and were guilty of bloodshed and violence. This horrific corruption occurs in many parts of the world today. The depravity of these leaders was staggering. They were liars from birth, and their venom was like the venom of a snake. They acted like poisonous cobras who could not be charmed or controlled. For someone under their rule, life could seem quite hopeless.

David knew, however, that God is the sovereign judge of the earth. He has the power to deliver his people. David prayed that God would break and tear out the teeth and fangs of those wicked lions. God could make unjust rulers vanish like water and their weapons of war useless. His action would be swift and his victory overwhelming. Then, the people of the world would know that righteousness is still rewarded and that God is the judge over all the earth. God’s righteous anger over the sin of the world is a very serious matter. Those who confess their sin and turn to Jesus can find forgiveness and freedom from condemnation.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, deliver the oppressed from injustice.

One Word: One Word: The righteousness of God will prevail

“i Have Sinned Greatly”

1 Chronicles 21:1-17

Key Verse: 21:8

Today's Question

What does the seventh commandment forbid?

See answer and references