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Jehovah implored to defend the Psalmist against the Wicked.
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Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto Jehovah, concerning the words of Cush a Benjamite. |
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1 O Jehovah my God, in thee do I take refuge: Save me from all them that pursue me, and deliver me,
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2 Lest they tear my soul like a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
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3 O Jehovah my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands;
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4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (Yes, I have delivered him that without cause was mine adversary;)
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5 Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; Yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. {Selah
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6 Arise, O Jehovah, in thine anger; Lift up thyself against the rage of mine adversaries, And awake for me; thou hast commanded judgment.
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7 And let the congregation of the peoples compass thee about; And over them return thou on high.
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8 Jehovah ministereth judgment to the peoples: Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness, and to mine integrity that is in me.
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9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous: For the righteous God trieth the minds and hearts.
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10 My shield is with God, Who saveth the upright in heart.
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11 God is a righteous judge, Yes, a God that hath indignation every day.
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God is angry – Righteous indignation against sin. R5603:1
Anger in itself is not sin. R5417:5
Inability to be angry under proper cause would imply imperfection. R3928:2
It would be improper for our Creator to refrain from righteous indignation where there is a just cause; just as it would be improper for him to be angry without a cause. R787:4
God is not so overbalanced in love that he cannot permit justice thoroughly to scourge the race of condemned sinners. R880:6
He tells us to be like him in our loves and hates--to hate sin and love righteousness. R1251:1
The force of character which permits of anger is the very same force which, otherwise directed, signifies intensity of love. R3928:2
If we feel that anger is proper for us we should use a great deal of discretion. "Be ye angry and sin not." (Eph. 4:26) R5417:5
If any walk after the flesh and not after the spirit such will proportionately lose the love of God. R3034:1
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12 If a man turn not, he will whet his sword; He hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
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13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; He maketh his arrows fiery shafts.
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14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity; Yes, he hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
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15 He hath made a pit, and digged it, And is fallen into the ditch which he made.
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Fallen into the ditch – Those who dig pits for others are likely to fall therein themselves. R2503:4
Which he made – As illustrated by Haman and by those who caused Daniel to be cast into the lion's den. R2503:1 [There are 2 references. 1) is to Haman and Mordecai and 2) is to Daniel and his accusers. - site Editor]
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16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, And his violence shall come down upon his own pate.
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17 I will give thanks unto Jehovah according to his righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of Jehovah Most High. |
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