Scripture Reading : Psalm 64
Theme : The World Will Know God’s Judgment
- The Prayer for Protection (1–2). This is another of David’s prayers for God’s judgment on the enemies of the righteous. David prayed for protection from those who conspired against him. He then delineated their malicious plans against the righteous. He was convinced that God would turn these schemes on the wicked themselves.
- The Problem of Malicious Schemes (3–6). David described how the wicked prepare their attack on the innocent. He compared their speech to swords and arrows—weapons that pierce and destroy. Their slanderous attacks came suddenly like an ambush. They were confident in what they did; they attacked others without fear. Moreover, the wicked encouraged each other in their plans to do injustice. They thought they had a perfect crime, assuming they could sin without being discovered. This shows how cunning a human heart can be.
- The Prophecy of Divine Judgment (7–10). David predicted that God would intervene and strike them. This is justice in which the punishment fits the crime. Their tongues, like arrows against others (v. 3), will be turned against them by God, and their slanderous plans will actually bring themselves to ruin. Everyone who would see them would scorn them for their evil plans. Moreover, seeing the destruction of the wicked, people would fear the Lord and tell of His works. God’s judgment would have a lasting effect on people. As for the righteous, they will have reason to rejoice, to renew their trust in Him as their Refuge, and to praise Him.[1]
Praying the Scripture
The book of psalms is very much focused on the end times. This psalm sees God’s end times judgement on the whole evil world so that the whole world will see it and fear God (cf. Ezek. 38:16). Throughout history, God has demonstrated this kind of fearful judgment on evil people, but only on a local scale (Exodus, Saul, Haman in Esther 7:10). In the end times, it will be on a global scale. Just as God has done it on a local scale, be sure that He will do it on a global scale in the end times. Believers ought to look forward to the day when Jesus returns and ends all injustice and evil on earth. May you long for God’s justice and the renewal of all things on earth and in heaven.
[1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 840–841.
经文：诗篇64
主题：世人都会晓得神的审判
- 保护的祈祷（1-2）。这是另一篇大卫的祷告；他祈求神审判义人的仇敌。大卫请求神从暗算他的敌人中保护他。之后，他也描述了他们抵挡义人的阴险计谋。他确信神必将这些诡计推翻，落回恶人本身。
- 阴计的问题（3-6）。大卫形容恶人如何准备攻击无辜的人。他将他们的言语比喻为刀和箭；这些都是能致刀伤和毁灭的武器。他们诬陷的攻击像伏击般突然射出。他们对自己的所作所为满有信心；他们毫无畏惧地攻击他人。此外，恶人也勉励彼此设下恶计。他们以为他们罪行无懈可击，不会被任何人发现。这显示出人的心有多么狡猾。
- 审判的预言（7-10）。大卫预言神将会介入并且攻击他们。这个公义的惩罚与是他们所犯的罪是合宜的。神将用他们像箭攻击他人的舌回击他们；他们诬陷人的计划也会将导致他们自己被摧毁。所有人将看到并藐视他们的恶计。此外，当人看见恶人的毁灭时，他们将敬畏神并传扬神的作为。至于义人，他们将有欢喜的理由，且再次投靠神为他们的庇护，从而赞扬祂。
用经文祷告
整本诗篇都很注重末世。这首诗篇让我们看见神在末世时对世界的审判，叫全世界晓得并敬畏神（参：结38:16）。神在人类历史中都应证了祂对恶人的审判，纵然至今呈现的只限于对当地的影响（例：出埃及、扫罗、以斯帖记7:10的哈曼）。末世的审判将是影响全球的。就像神如何对当地人施行审判，祂必然在末世时对全球施行类似的审判。信徒应该向往耶稣再来的那一日，因为祂将了解世界上所有的不义与邪恶。愿你期盼神的公义和万物在世间与天上的更新。
