The Word Made Fresh
(To the worship leader: Do not Destroy. A psalm of Asaph. A hymn.)
1We give thanks to you, God.
We give thanks to you whose name is with us.
People tell the stories of the wonderful things you have done.
2You have said, “At the time I choose I will render fair judgments.
3And when the earth is shaken along with all who live in it,
I am the one who keeps its foundation steady.
4So, I say to those who boast, ‘Don’t.’
And I say to the wicked, ‘Don’t fly your flag,
5and don’t dare to raise your banner high
or speak insolently.’”
6Your praise will not come from the east or from the west,
nor from the wilderness will come your exalting.
7Rather, God is the one who executes judgment.
God is the one who casts out one and lifts up another.
8In the LORD’s hand is a cup filled with well-aged wine,
and a draught will be poured from it,
and all the evil people will drink it to the last drop.
9And I will proclaim this from now on.
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.
10“I will cut off the strength of the wicked,
but the strength of the righteous will be lifted up.”
Commentary
Superscription: Asaph’s 4th. “Do not Destroy” is an instruction that occurs in four psalms (57, 58, 59, and 75).
1: The psalm begins with praise to God who does wondrous deeds.
2-5: God is the speaker in these verses and declares the authority to act whenever and wherever is deemed necessary.
6-9: The psalm acknowledges that God is indeed the sovereign ruler who executes judgment.
10: God speaks again, assuring us that the wicked will not be allowed to hold power forever, but the righteous will prevail.
Takeaway
The wicked will not be allowed to be in charge forever, and that is a comforting promise, isn’t it? When God’s people are oppressed, God will restore. Patience is the virtue needed in such times.