| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. |
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| 1 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: |
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| 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. |
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| 3 O LORD 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; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) |
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| 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. |
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| 6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. |
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| 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. |
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| 8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according 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 the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. |
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| 10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. |
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| 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. |
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 he 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 ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. |
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| 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. |
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| 15 He 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 violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. |
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| 17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. |
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