Recounting the Wonders of God

Intro: We continue in our series on the Psalms by turning to . This Psalm forms a pairing with , and most Catholic bibles combine them as one Psalm. The primary point of this Psalm is justice, building on the themes of condemnation from , and praise from .

I) Structure

This Psalm has an incomplete acrostic pattern with some letters skipped in this Psalm and some of those found in , which explains why some scholars think they were originally together (as found in the Septuagint)

The pattern is four lines spread over two verses, one of the common literary patterns in Psalms

The opening repeats nearly exactly the closing of & 8, praise for God, the one change being “wonders” for “righteousness”, showing that God’s wonders are His righteousness, not just “showing off”

We can learn from this pattern to spend more time in praise of God before we start complaining and begging

II) God’s fight for His people – vs.3-6

David sees the enemies fall back when they see the angry countenance of God, compared to His comforting look for His people – 4:6

God defends his just cause with righteous judgment

God’s judgment against the wicked is complete eliminating their existence

III) God’s eternal reign – vs.7-10

In contrast to these temporal powers, God will sit on His throne forever, so His justice will last forever –

Acts 17:31 ESV

because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

His protection and care are also forever, especially in times of trouble (here and 10:1 only); troubling times is when Satan wants us to think God is far, but He is close at hand

IV) Let those of Zion praise God – vs.9-10

This concludes the first part of the Psalm and returns to the opening theme, but now incorporating Zion (the citadel hill of the old city that comes to represent the mountain of God – 2:6)

God avenges blood – – by requiring it of those who do not respect the life it represents

Genesis 9:6 ESV

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.

V) Be gracious to me – vs.13-14

David calls for grace, not that he says it is not fair, but that God’s justice says it is not right

He asks to be lifted from the gates of death (Sheol) to the gates of Zion (God’s kingdom) so that he can praise God –

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

VI) Destiny of the wicked – vs.15-18

They are caught in their own traps – Haman, Persian haters (Purim)

They are forgotten, but the oppressed will not be forgotten forever

Concl: David concludes with a rousing call for God to put His plan into action, so that man (the wicked) will not prevail and be reminded they are mere men – 8:4.