With the rise of crime and violent acts on a daily basis, it seems to be that there is a clear line between the godly and righteous people and the ungodly and wicked. As David looked out at humanity in his day, he saw the same thing. Our psalm this week is one of the many that he wrote. David contrasts the wicked from those who put their faith and trust in the Lord, and how He will preserve and protect them.
As our psalm opens, David begins to describe the wicked man. Their basic description has not changed over the many centuries since his day. One sure mark of the unsaved is that they have no fear of God (vs. 1). The wicked certainly have no reverential awe or respect for Him. The unrighteous look at themselves as the most important thing in the universe. They flatter and deceive themselves, along with plotting and scheming against others. The wicked turn away from all wisdom as they plan their sin (vs. 2-4). Because the wicked have no fear of God, nothing restrains them from sinning. They have followed the path of wickedness so much that they are unable to understand enough to hate their iniquity.
The main distinction between the righteous man and the unrighteous man is that the righteous fear God, and recognize their dependence on Him, while the unrighteous do not. While both commit sin, the righteous will confess their sins to God. In contrast to the unsaved, believers see the Lord’s attributes of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice (vs. 5-6). In contrast to evil people and their wicked plots which end in ultimate failure, God is faithful, righteous, and just. His love and faithfulness reach the heavens, and His righteousness is as solid as a mountain. God’s judgments and wisdom are as deep as the oceans. He loves to show mercy, and remains eternally trustworthy to do exactly what He has promised. God will never be unfaithful to us.
The wicked, who have never put their trust in Jesus, will often say that God is judgmental, harsh, and destructive. However, the Holy Spirit lets His children know that God is merciful and is Lovingkindness itself (vs. 7). As we read here in this psalm, and elsewhere throughout the Bible, God will hide His children under the protection of His wing. The safest place for young chicks to be against predators is under the mother hen’s wings. A Canadian goose, usually the male, can and will attack when danger threatens its young. A whack from its strong wing can really hurt, and even break a bone. Their wings both shelter the goslings and bring danger to the enemy. God offers such protection to all who take refuge under the shadow of His wings.
Anyone who follows Jesus will be abundantly satisfied (vs. 8). He is the only true satisfaction there is. He is the fresh, cleansing water that gives life to the spiritually thirsty (vs. 9). Jesus spoke of Himself as Living Water that could quench thirst forever, and bring eternal life (John 4:14). For a thirsty soul, the world may lure us with promises of satisfaction, but they are empty promises. Only Jesus can give us the rivers of Living Water (John 7:37-38). He, alone, is the Fountain of Life. The wicked unsaved may think that they have a great life, but there is no life outside of God. All they have is death, both now and in eternity. God offers the only real life there is. When we walk by the light of His Word and His Spirit, we can enjoy life to the fullest.
In conclusion, God has given us several promises in this psalm. One, we learn that God’s love for His redeemed children is constant, as high as the heavens and as deep as the ocean. We learn His promise of providing us with living water from the fountain of life. And we also see God’s promise of protection as our shelter and refuge. He promises to watch over His children as surely as a mother bird protects her young under her wings.
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