Psalm 140:8-11 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. We need not fix close attention on the intensity of the language which the psalmists use concerning their enemies, or even concerning the enemies of God. All that unrestrainedness belongs to the times and the race. Eastern people use language which to the Western mind appears extravagant and unworthy. We feel, under persecution and calamity, precisely as they felt, but we know how to express our feelings more guardedly. Only in moments of passion do we ever permit ourselves to say or to wish such things as these psalmists utter so freely. The topic suggested here is this - What is to be done by the godly man when he finds himself in the midst of malicious foes? I. HE IS TEMPTED TO INDULGE REVENGEFUL FEELING. Such feelings at once come. They are the natural, or we may more truly say the unnatural, response of our hearts, Indeed, if we do not watch ourselves well, we at once answer back. It is not our sin that revengeful feeling is aroused. It is sin when revengeful feeling is encouraged; our grievous sin when it is enjoyed. II. HE IS TEMPTED TO VINDICATE HIMSELF BY ACTS OF RETALIATION. "Rendering evil for evil." Taking the avenging of his injuries into his own hands. Children do that. Uncivilized and unorganized nations do that. Each one avenges his own wrongs. But from the Divine standpoint that is always and altogether wrong; for one supremely good reason - that a man can never avenge himself without seriously injuring himself in so doing. The worst thing that can happen to a man is to get his revenge. That dims the fine gold of character. III. HE IS PERSUADED TO LEAVE VENGEANCE TO GOD. And this he may safely do, because whosoever touches God's people touches God - touches the "apple of his eye." Moreover, God never lets the wicked go unpunished; but as he loves the wicked and seeks his good, he alone can adjust the punishment to the individual, and to the securing of wise and gracious ends. God can be calm in judgments. IV. HE IS MOVED TO ASK GOD TO UNDERTAKE THE VENGEANCE FOR HIM. And then he is altogether relieved from the pressure of responsibility, and is free to bear the burden quietly and calmly. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. |
    |