Psalm 9

“The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The judgment knows the Lord He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. MEDITATION. (Selah) The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah” Psalm 9:15-20 (NKJV)

As David said, the Lord is known by the judgment He executes. But “judgment” is often misunderstood to mean “angry vengeance.” Indeed, most Christians hold an opinion of God that He was always angry in the Tanakh (Old Testament). God did not change His image at halftime, between the Old & New Testaments, emerging from the locker room as a cuddly grandfather. It is easy to have this opinion of God if our only source of Biblical understanding is listening to the occasional sermon in the average church. But, when we take time to read the Bible for ourselves, the Holy Spirit reveals that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  

“For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” Malachi 3:6 (NKJV)

Furthermore, since Jesus is God, made flesh, He never changes.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

So, all throughout the Bible, God judges righteously. He gives grace to the humble and repentant, and he rebukes and punishes the proud and unrepentant. We should reflect on that. As a matter of fact, David even instructs the musicians to add a solo section (“Higgaion”:  Hebrew for “meditation”) where the worshipper can ponder God’s judgment & mercy, which should result in our praise: Selah.

Again, God is not only angry in the Old Testament; He is also gracious and merciful. He cares for widows, orphans, wild animals and even foreign refugees.

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; he does not forget the cry of the humble. Have mercy on me, O Lord! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may tell of all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation.” Psalm 9:9-14 (NKJV)

Have you put your faith & trust in the Lord? If so, He both cares and fights for you!