“The Song of Divine Justice—Psalm 34” (Part Three)

This week, we are beginning a consideration of the justice of God in a world that is unjust. Our first glimpse of that justice is seen in Psalm 34, the first of three songs that form a trilogy of studies on this theme. On Monday we began to introduce Psalm 34, and saw that it was written in response to this near-death episode that David describes these amazing truths. And, his description takes the form of testimonials—the first two of which we saw yesterday, and the final two we consider today. (Again, Derek Kidner’s excellent commentary on the Psalms was a great help in these studies)

III. Testimony of Righteousness (vv.11-18)

The critical lesson of life (v.11) is to learn to “fear God!” Here, David’s praise gives way to words of instruction. The man who fears God will reflect the righteousness that is in God- and that righteousness will be blessed of God. There can be no true taste of the Lord’s goodness without a corresponding godliness! That life always begins with the fear of the Lord. What marks characterize such a life?

• Integrity (v.13)
• Purity (v.14)
• Active in peacemaking (v.14)
• Committed to prayer (vv.16,17)
• Suffering, yet delivered (vv.19-22)

This kind of character is not governed by experience or emotion, but by a sense of righteousness. In all areas of life, we are to display an integrity of life consistent with and characteristic of the God of all truth. Our relationship with Him and usefulness to Him will be directly related to our willingness to submit to His righteous standard.

Now, at last, we David’s expression of the Law of Retribution. In vv.14-18, he makes dramatic contrast between the righteous and the wicked, with the command to the righteous clearly seen—“Depart from evil and do good!” The results?

• Fellowship with God (v.15)- as opposed to the wicked who are to be cut off (v.16)
• Deliverance from despair (vv.17-20) as opposed to judgment of the wicked (v.21)

Now, David states the theory of the Law of Retribution. But, having declared it doesn’t fully explain it!

IV. Testimony of Protection (vv.19-22)

In John 19:36, we hear v.20 quoted as fulfilled in the Cross—again with the limitation of the Father’s unique will for His Righteous Son. It is the imagery of deliverance!

This final portion of the psalm describes God’s deliverance is a variety of terms, but it reflects a key idea—Progressive Revelation. The OT saints had a severe lack of understanding regarding life after death, but, as the OT moves into the NT, understanding becomes more detailed. Revelation on this issue was disclosed progressively. At this time in the OT, David and his peers were aware of an after-life, but were unclear as to what it was like or about.

As David wrestles with these issues, however, two keys in Psalm 34 demand the reality of life after death be embraced-

• The fact that retribution does NOT always work in this life;
• The awareness of the promise of a fellowship with God that is so real that it will never be terminated.

David’s conclusion (v.22) is that redemption, deliverance or salvation are more than temporal or physical things. This salvation of God is a spiritual reality that deals with the soul and escapes the very condemnation for which the wicked (v.21) have no escape! Since that is a spiritual reality, it takes the Law of Retribution out of the realm of the here and now (where it doesn’t always work) and places it in the eternal realm (where God has promised it will forever work)!

Conclusion: From our NT perspective, we see this all much more clearly. God has promised eternal blessing to the righteous. But, since we have no righteousness, He sent Christ to be our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30) so that we can be forever blessed. To the world outside the righteousness of Christ, there is no promise but that of just punishment for sin.

Remember, the same God who has assured us the blessings of heaven is the One that promises eternal judgment. The issue is about righteousness—and David affirms that the resolution of it all is in the redemption of the soul which allows us to escape the threat of condemnation (Rom. 8:1)!

This final verse is overflowing with the promise of the Gospel yet to come. As believers living after the Cross, and knowing not only the scope of that deliverance but its unimaginable cost, we should echo David’s jubilation at a God who first makes righteous, then delivers the righteous ones He has made! Next week, we will consider Psalm 37.