AVENGER I. IMPASSIONED ENTREATY FOR AVENGEMENT (1-7). God addressed. 1. The Invocation (1-2). 2. The Interrogation (3). Question= Earnes_t Appeal. 3. The Indictment (4-7). The Words (4), Works (5-6), Words (7) of the Wicked. II. INDIGNANT EXPOSTULATION WITH ADVERSARIES (8-u). Man addressed. 1. The Admonition (8). 2. The Argument (9-10). Question= Effective Answer. 3. The Affirmation (11). III. INSPIRED ENCOURAGEMENT IN AFFLICTION (12-13). God addressed. Confident Pronouncement. "Happy." IV. INSTRUCTIVE EXPLANATION IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT (14-17). Man addressed. 1. The Conviction (14.-15). 2. The Contention (16). Question= Emphatic Assertion. 3. The Confession (17). V. INTIMATE EXPERIENCE OF AID (18-21). God addressed. 1. The Illustration (18-19 ). 2. The Interrogation (20). Question= Eloquent Advocacy. 3. The Indictment (21 ). Works of the Wicked. VI. INTELLIGENT EXPECTATION OF ANSWER (22-23). Man addressed Confident Prediction. "sHall . . . shall." 1. The Deliverance (22). Preservation of the Godly. 2. The Doom (23). Perdition of the Godless. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Authorship and occasion unknown. See notes to preceding psalm. rrus seems to interrupt the unity of the subject of this group of psalms celebrating Jehovah as King, but not really so, for kingly power is manifested in the subjugation of rebels
REVELATION OF COVEN ANT RELATIONSHIP against the throne. Jehovah is King, xciii., Jehovah is Judge, xciv. The wicked here are not foreign oppressors but national rulers. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-The faithful remnant's passionate cry for, and confident trust in the righteous retribution of God, cf. Luke xviii. 7-8; Rev. viii. 3-5. The lawless ones mentioned point to Antichrist and his ready followers, who persecute the godly in the nation especially during "Tribulation" days. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Pride is the very essence of sin; it exalts the creature and dethrones the Creator (2). God cannot be indifferent to the welfare of His people, His heritage .(5). Crimes are often committed under legal forms (4-6), c£ Ps. lxxiii. It is arrogant folly to assume that God is either ignorant of, or indifferent to His people's sufferings (7). He hears the scoffs of the enemy and the sighs of His elect (7). Men do not want to be seen, then hope they will not be seen, and finally make themselves believe they are not seen (7). In spite of the temporary triumph of the wicked, God still rules (8 ff.). Modem denials are based upon the same delusion refuted here (7 ff.). Can a UI?-iverse full of purpose come from a purposeless source (8-10)? The Creator of the organs of sense must Himself possess faculties corresponding to them (9). God is the great educator of mankind ( 10). His is not the•" higher education" but the highest. God not only sees men's works, but knows their thoughts; He has insight and foresight as well as oversight (II). The wise welcome divine instruction, fools rebel against it (12). Righteousness is the eternal principle of all judicial action (15). In the world, judgment is too often divqrced from righteousness; but under Messiah's rule the administration will be again conducted.upon principles of equity (15). God is the mighty champion of His people (16). We may give ourselves up for lost, but the Hand of Love has hold of us all the time (18). When distracting thoughts disturb the mind of the believer, the comforts of God soothe (lit. caress) the soul ( 19). Though temporarily tolerated, God will not allow rapacious judges to shelter under His authority (20). Verse 12 is worth another thought! Study the pronoun "my" in the lattÕr part of the psalm. VERSE NOTES I. Br. "God of Vengeance, Jehovah, God of Vengeance, shine forth." Note fig. anadiplosis, the reiteration of intense feeling and pressing need; "God"= El. ib. C£ Isa. ii, 12-17.
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