THE RIGHTEOUS LORD

The Lord enthroned is the true refuge of the hunted soul. But He is not only enthroned; He is active. He also sees the peril. Do the wicked watch the righteous? But the Lord watches the wicked. Are the righteous tried in the process? The Lord presides over the trial. Are the wicked going to shoot? So is the Lord, “snares … and brimstone”. God is seen not only as enthroned, but as scrutinizing all men’s acts with a keen, discriminating gaze. As a man partly closes his eyes in a concentrated gaze, so the Lord scrutinizes men. He tries them, as a Refiner, distinguishing between the dross and the gold. He tries the righteous, v. 5, seeing into the inmost depths of his soul. The Lord subjects him to many a test to prove him, to show him what he is; to stir him up to watchfulness and trust; to make him strong in His strength.

If all things were made easy for us; if no cloud ever crossed our horizon, if no danger ever crossed our path, the mettle of our character would not be formed. Trials are all ordered for our good. It is thus that faith is tested, sincerity is discerned, the walk becoming more close with our God, more wary and circumspect. These probings are among our blessings. The wicked He judges, but the righteous He protects.

He loves righteousness; He is the righteous Lord, v. 7. That is His character. What He approves are righteous deeds. The “For” at the beginning of verse 7 suggests the close connection between God’s judgment on the wicked and His favour on the righteous. The nature of God determines His judgment and acts. He who is righteous in Himself cannot but approve of righteousness in others. “Jehovah is righteous” is the rock foundation of the indomitable faith of the psalmist in the certain, ultimate triumph of patient righteousness. He would deny Himself if He did not defend the just. The character of the Lord is the ground of His judgment in verse 6 and His reward in verse 7. The wicked are banished and destroyed, but the upright are admitted to His presence and they gaze upon His face, Matt 5. 8; 1 John 3. 2: Rev. 22. 4. God looks on the upright and the upright gaze on Him here and now in the communion of that faith which is a better kind of sight, and also hereafter in glory, Psa. 17. 15.