Yahweh Enthroned
TRANSLATION
(H) For the director of the choir, (a psalm) of David. (1) In Yahweh I have sought refuge. How can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain?” (2) For look! The wicked bend the bow. They have fitted the arrow to the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. (3) If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (4) Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see, his eyelids examine the sons of men. (5) Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence his soul hates. (6) Upon the wicked he rains snares. Coals of fire and sulfur and a scorching wind (will be) the portion of their cup, (7) for Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.
OBSERVATIONS
At the heart of this psalm David asked a searching question and provided a convincing answer (vss. 3 & 4). “What can the righteous do?” (vs. 3) reflected the sense of uncertainty expressed in the opening two verses. There the psalmist pictured himself as a bird fleeing from hunters who were intent upon shooting down their prey before it could escape to the mountains (vss. 1 & 2). The assurances David gave show us that the righteous can respond positively (vs. 4). Because Yahweh is on his throne, fully aware of all that is happening, we can confidently entrust ourselves to his care. In the final three verses of the psalm David described how Yahweh shelters the righteous from those who are seeking their destruction (vss. 5-7).
Two repetitions should be noted. First, the psalmist mentioned Yahweh’s “eyes” and “eyelids,” both figures of speech called “personification” in which human characteristics are attributed to God (vs. 4). David’s point was that nothing escapes Yahweh’s notice. He both sees (eyes) and evaluates (eyelids) everything. Then, David used another Hebrew root three times, each translated by a different English word. Yahweh, who is “righteous” and who loves “righteousness,” will preserve those who live “uprightly” (vs. 7). They will “see his face,” that is, dwell in his presence. Jesus’ statement, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mt. 5:8), echoed David’s reassuring words.
OUTLINE
I. Metaphor: Like a startled bird we flee to God for refuge. (1 & 2)
II. Question: What can the righteous do? (3)
Answer: Yahweh is on his throne. (4)
III. Confident assurance: Yahweh will judge righteously. (5-7)
IDEA STATEMENT
When we become convinced that Yahweh rules righteously, we can be confident even when the godless are seeking to destroy us.
APPLICATION
The implications of David’s question should be examined further (vs. 3). Are the foundations really being destroyed by the actions of the wicked? While it may seem, from our limited perspectives, that everything is in danger of falling apart, we can rest assured that Yahweh is still on his throne and in control of all that is happening to us (vs. 4). Are the righteous really unable to do anything about the situations in which we find ourselves? Not if we, instead of despairing, commit ourselves to the loving care of our sovereign God. While we may feel powerless to change things on our own, we have every reason to hope that, if we entrust ourselves to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or think, we will ultimately triumph (Eph. 3:20).
The next time we grapple with our seeming inability to counter the evil that surrounds us (vs. 3), we should like David respond with a confession of faith in God’s sovereignty (vs. 4). Keeping in mind that Yahweh omnipotently rules over creation from his throne in heaven is precisely what we need to restore peace and joy to our hearts when we are tempted by our circumstances to worry or despair.