God's Righteous Judgment

“O enemy, destructions are finished forever!

And you have destroyed cities; even their

memory has perished. But the Lord shall

endure forever; He has prepared His throne

for judgment, He shall judge the world in

righteousness, and He shall administer

judgment for the peoples in uprightness.

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the

oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.

And those who know Your name will put

their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not

forsaken those who seek You. . . .

“The nations have sunk down in the pit

which they made; in the net which they

hid, their own foot is caught. The Lord is

known by the judgment He executes;

the wicked is snared in the work on his

own hands.

     Meditation. Selah.”

        Psalm 9:6-10, 15-16 (NKJV)

This psalm marks the Bible’s stark contrast between the redeemed and the lost; salvation and judgment. There is no middle ground with God and people don’t like to hear that. The idea of coming judgment is not popular either but it’s a recurring theme in Scripture and it is inevitable.

Judgment of sin is in keeping with God's holy character. God is not capricious or vindictive. His judgments are sure and always righteous. The Lord is known by the judgments He executes. Indeed, God often prefaces judgment by stating that those being judged will know that He is the Lord. (See, e.g., Exodus 7:5, Ezekiel 25:11)

The solemnity of God’s judgment is emphasized by the double exhortation of “Meditation. Selah.” (v. 16)  Readers are urged to ponder God’s coming righteous judgment and seriously consider whether they are ready for that day.

It is not just those who have “destroyed cities” (v. 6) or committed other crimes who will be judged, but even those who “forget God” (v. 17).  Indeed, all those who have not put their faith in Christ will be judged. 

Thankfully, God is merciful and He would rather forgive than judge. That forgiveness is a blessed refuge for sinners who put their faith in Christ. Everyone who knows Jesus and puts their trust in Him will be saved and not forsaken.

Consider the seriousness of this message and who God would have you tell of His plan of salvation that they may escape the judgment to come.