Psalm 9: Pt. 3 Perfect Judgment is the foundation for Perfect Praise.
Good morning to all of our Readers around the world!
The Lord has granted us another spring morning to enjoy in North East Ohio. All the trees, bushes, lawns and flowers are incredibly beautiful and many of the flowing plants fill the air with wonderful scents.
This always reminds me of the beauty of resurrection Sunday as our victorious Lord Jesus Christ arose from the grave to become our sweet smelling savor offering to our Father in heaven.
The judgment of God's enemies is final.
Psalm 9:3-6 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. 4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. 5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. 6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
We made our way through the first two verses of this Psalm of David and now we come to the next section where the enemies of David were dispatched by God. I believe that this layout now brings even more light on why King David was filled with praise, gladness and rejoicing. His enemies' plots were defeated by Jehovah.
There are several realities spoken of in the Psalm that were true in David's time, they are still true today and will always be true. God will turn His enemies backward and they shall fall and perish in His presence. The beauty of God's holiness will always demolish the rebellion of sinners.
Our God sits on His throne of judgment always defending those who put their trust in His ability to save them and He always judges righteously.
A preview of what happens when we die.
Zechariah 3:1-5 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
This is not referring to Joshua the son of Nun. This man is a high priest from the days of Ezra and he was one of the first priests Ezra installed after reconstructing the temple in Jerusalem, after the 70 years of captivity. (Ezra 2:2 spelled Jeshua in that text.)
The angel of the LORD is Christ in the Old Testament. Remember that Jesus said Abraham rejoiced to see His day, meaning that Christ appeared to Abraham as the angel of the LORD. (See John 8:56).
This text shows us a bit of what happens when we die. At death, we will stand before our God and if we are born again, we are like Joshua, a brand ( burning embers) plucked from the fire. Satan is doing his best to resist and accuse but to no avail.
The filthy garments of Joshua represent his sin nature and that is totally removed when Jehovah tells Joshua that he has caused his iniquity to pass away. All his sins are gone forever and never to be remembered again! He received new priestly garments that were sanctified, pure and holy. The accuser can only slink away in humiliation.
I encourage you to go back and look at our study of what it means to be "in Christ" because we cover much of the truths of our lives being hid in Christ when we are born again, just as Joshua's filthy garments were removed and righteous robes put on him. We had 17 posts from December 8, 2019 through January 2, 2020.
This passage is connected with Christ as High Priest as recorded in the book of Hebrews. Jesus Christ has an eternal priesthood, one that will never change. Because Jesus ransomed all believers with His own blood and His death on the cross, no enemy can pluck us out of our Father's hand. Thus, Jesus can save us to the uttermost.
Saved to the uttermost in Christ!
Hebrews 7:24-25 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
The final doom of unbelievers is brought before us in Psalm 9. They will be punished forever in hell, their evil actions will never be remembered and their names will be permanently blotted out from our minds (Psalm 9:5,6). We have studied many texts about the two resurrections, the two judgments and the two destinations in previous posts but all of this section of Psalm 9 is a foundation for the explosion of praise that begins the Psalm.
Jehovah will judge all unbelievers by His Holy standard.
Psalm 9:7-8 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
Jehovah's throne is prepared for judgment. The God who inhabits eternity will open His books and judge every man, woman and child. This is a fearful thing to contemplate if you have not been born again. The unsaved people will be judged by their works and no lost person will be permitted to enter heaven because they are unrighteous at the core of their being.
Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This is the text that tells us about the great white throne judgment. All the unbelieving will stand before the white throne of Jehovah's judgment. The books were opened and the book of life was opened. All unbelievers will be judged by their works which are the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-21) Every single sin that every unbelieving man or woman has ever committed is written in God's judgment book.
Judgment is swift and sure. The book of life contains the names of all the redeemed children of God from every generation and if your name is not in that book you will be cast into the lake of fire.
Christ is the one to whom the Father has given all judgment. The One who died for ALL sins is the One who will pronounce judgment on the unbelievers. (See John 5:19-29).
Thoughts to Ponder...
The praising that begins this Psalm is based upon God judging His enemies and defending His redeemed. The severity of judgment is undeniable by all and the grace of God allows ample opportunity for people around the world to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you have never been born again, I remind you that you are only one heartbeat away from eternity. The unsaved people do not have their names written in the book of life and will stand before holy God at the great white throne of judgment.
Jesus Christ Himself bore all the wrath of God that should have fallen on us for our sins as He hung on the cross. He paid for my sins and your sins with His life and His blood. Christ did all of this from a heart of love for us. Why would anyone choose to stand before God and be judged and condemned by their own wicked works?
For those of us who are born again I pray that the Lord will give us a fresh passion to share gospel truth with people who are not saved. I pray that He will give us the strength to live for Him as long as He gives us breath and that we will be zealous of His honor and glory.
Bob
The Lord has granted us another spring morning to enjoy in North East Ohio. All the trees, bushes, lawns and flowers are incredibly beautiful and many of the flowing plants fill the air with wonderful scents.
This always reminds me of the beauty of resurrection Sunday as our victorious Lord Jesus Christ arose from the grave to become our sweet smelling savor offering to our Father in heaven.
The judgment of God's enemies is final.
Psalm 9:3-6 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. 4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. 5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. 6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
We made our way through the first two verses of this Psalm of David and now we come to the next section where the enemies of David were dispatched by God. I believe that this layout now brings even more light on why King David was filled with praise, gladness and rejoicing. His enemies' plots were defeated by Jehovah.
There are several realities spoken of in the Psalm that were true in David's time, they are still true today and will always be true. God will turn His enemies backward and they shall fall and perish in His presence. The beauty of God's holiness will always demolish the rebellion of sinners.
Our God sits on His throne of judgment always defending those who put their trust in His ability to save them and He always judges righteously.
A preview of what happens when we die.
Zechariah 3:1-5 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
This is not referring to Joshua the son of Nun. This man is a high priest from the days of Ezra and he was one of the first priests Ezra installed after reconstructing the temple in Jerusalem, after the 70 years of captivity. (Ezra 2:2 spelled Jeshua in that text.)
The angel of the LORD is Christ in the Old Testament. Remember that Jesus said Abraham rejoiced to see His day, meaning that Christ appeared to Abraham as the angel of the LORD. (See John 8:56).
This text shows us a bit of what happens when we die. At death, we will stand before our God and if we are born again, we are like Joshua, a brand ( burning embers) plucked from the fire. Satan is doing his best to resist and accuse but to no avail.
The filthy garments of Joshua represent his sin nature and that is totally removed when Jehovah tells Joshua that he has caused his iniquity to pass away. All his sins are gone forever and never to be remembered again! He received new priestly garments that were sanctified, pure and holy. The accuser can only slink away in humiliation.
I encourage you to go back and look at our study of what it means to be "in Christ" because we cover much of the truths of our lives being hid in Christ when we are born again, just as Joshua's filthy garments were removed and righteous robes put on him. We had 17 posts from December 8, 2019 through January 2, 2020.
This passage is connected with Christ as High Priest as recorded in the book of Hebrews. Jesus Christ has an eternal priesthood, one that will never change. Because Jesus ransomed all believers with His own blood and His death on the cross, no enemy can pluck us out of our Father's hand. Thus, Jesus can save us to the uttermost.
Saved to the uttermost in Christ!
Hebrews 7:24-25 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
The final doom of unbelievers is brought before us in Psalm 9. They will be punished forever in hell, their evil actions will never be remembered and their names will be permanently blotted out from our minds (Psalm 9:5,6). We have studied many texts about the two resurrections, the two judgments and the two destinations in previous posts but all of this section of Psalm 9 is a foundation for the explosion of praise that begins the Psalm.
Jehovah will judge all unbelievers by His Holy standard.
Psalm 9:7-8 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
Jehovah's throne is prepared for judgment. The God who inhabits eternity will open His books and judge every man, woman and child. This is a fearful thing to contemplate if you have not been born again. The unsaved people will be judged by their works and no lost person will be permitted to enter heaven because they are unrighteous at the core of their being.
Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This is the text that tells us about the great white throne judgment. All the unbelieving will stand before the white throne of Jehovah's judgment. The books were opened and the book of life was opened. All unbelievers will be judged by their works which are the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-21) Every single sin that every unbelieving man or woman has ever committed is written in God's judgment book.
Judgment is swift and sure. The book of life contains the names of all the redeemed children of God from every generation and if your name is not in that book you will be cast into the lake of fire.
Christ is the one to whom the Father has given all judgment. The One who died for ALL sins is the One who will pronounce judgment on the unbelievers. (See John 5:19-29).
Thoughts to Ponder...
The praising that begins this Psalm is based upon God judging His enemies and defending His redeemed. The severity of judgment is undeniable by all and the grace of God allows ample opportunity for people around the world to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you have never been born again, I remind you that you are only one heartbeat away from eternity. The unsaved people do not have their names written in the book of life and will stand before holy God at the great white throne of judgment.
Jesus Christ Himself bore all the wrath of God that should have fallen on us for our sins as He hung on the cross. He paid for my sins and your sins with His life and His blood. Christ did all of this from a heart of love for us. Why would anyone choose to stand before God and be judged and condemned by their own wicked works?
For those of us who are born again I pray that the Lord will give us a fresh passion to share gospel truth with people who are not saved. I pray that He will give us the strength to live for Him as long as He gives us breath and that we will be zealous of His honor and glory.
Bob
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