- Devotional for Midweek Prayer Meeting *
OUTLINE OF THE PSALM
Complaint against wicked oppression, vv1-7
Chastisement against those ignorant of omniscient God, vv8-11
Confession of the LORD's care for His people, vv12-15
Cry to the LORD for help, v16
Comfort in dependence upon the LORD, vv17-19
Confounded by wicked religionists, vv20-21
Confident assurance in the LORD's justice, vv22-23
OBSERVATIONS IN CHRIST
An Imprecatory Psalm
IMPRECA'TION, n. [L. imprecatio.] The act of imprecating, or invoking evil on any one; a prayer that a curse or calamity may fall on any one. (Webster's Dictionary of American English, 1828) [compare vv1-2, an imprecation, with v23, a declaration of God's judgment]
Historical:
- 1. Israel had many enemies throughout its history.
- 2. Israel & Judah possessed unrighteous kings (v4).
- 3. False prophets & wicked priests arose (v20).
Prophetic:
- 1. Foreshadows God's grace through Christ (vv12-15)
- 2. Foretells of the religionists of Jesus' day (vv6, 20)
- 3. Foretells Christ's murder (vv20-21)
Practical:
- 1. We were wicked; yet, now saved from God's wrath (vv1-2)
- 2. We live in a corrupt world until Christ returns (vv3-7)
- 3. There is still ignorance among unbelievers as well as professing believers concerning the omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, etc. of God (vv8-11)
- 4. We must ever lean upon God's grace in, by, & through our Lord Jesus Christ (vv12-19)
- 5. There are individuals & assemblies who will pervert the law of God, the Word of Christ, & the work of the Holy Spirit (vv20-21)
- 6. Never forget the Rock who has saved you (v22)
- 7. Vengeance is God's & He will repay (v23)