Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

III. I NSIGHTS FOR LIFE - 27-40

Instruction:

“ Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. (27,28a)

This section begins with an instruction to correct your actions if you are going the wrong way and begin to live the ‘good’ life. Goodness leads to stability, prosperity and peace.

Insights:

“ He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will perish (be cut off.) The godly will inherit the land and will live there forever.” (28b, 29)

The eternal aspect of living for God is emphasized here, “ …safe forever .” The wicked are ‘cut off’ like a branch and perish. This phrase ‘cut off’ is used five times in the psalm. (9, 22, 28, 34, 38)

“ The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God’s law, so they will never slip from his path.”(30,31) This is a description of a person with a strongly de- veloped inner life; the law of God is not external but is written on the tables of their heart. “ This is a covenant, not written laws, but of the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:6)

“ Those who are evil spy on the godly, waiting for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are brought before the judge.” (32,33)

The evil person is treacherous while the godly escape their traps and go on to success!

“ Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.” (34)

Solomon’s heart was filled with the sayings of his father: “ Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the upright will live in the land, and those who have in- tegrity will remain in it.”(Pr. 2:20,21)

“I myself have seen it happen-proud and evil people thriving like mighty trees. But when I looked again, they were gone! Thought I searched for them, I could not find them!” (35,36)

Jesus uses the ‘tree imagery’ in the Sermon on the Mount: “ So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.” (Mt. 7:19,20)

“ Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future lies before those who love peace. But the wicked will be destroyed (cut off); they have no future.”(37,38)

Wickedness can have momentary success but it will not last. The rewards for honesty and good- ness often are long-term and futuristic but they are enduring. Solomon’s name means ‘peaceable’ and his life is pointing to the greater ‘son of David’, Jesus Christ who is ‘the Prince of Peace!’

“ The Lord saves the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.”(39,40)

In this last verse the wicked are forgotten and the benefits of loving the Lord are re-emphasized. He is our Savior, our Security and our Shelter!

89