Introduction: I have seen some idols when in Asia. Most but not all have eyes and ears but these sculptured organs are useless! Just because idols cannot see there are many who think that Jehovah God is the same! They reason that they can do whatever they desire and their actions don’t have consequences! What right does the Psalmist have to call out “O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance”? Deuteronomy 32:35 reads, “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.” God sees and hears and acts. Sometimes, from people’s point of view, God delays and people are frustrated. But His timing is perfect. He delays to give people a chance to repent!!
1 O LORD, God of vengeance,
O God of vengeance, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O judge of the earth;
repay to the proud what they deserve!
3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked,
how long shall the wicked exult? – a plea to God!
4 They pour out their arrogant words;
all the evildoers boast.
5 They crush your people, O LORD,
and afflict your heritage.
6 They kill the widow and the sojourner,
and murder the fatherless;
7 and they say, “The LORD does not see;
the God of Jacob does not perceive.” – The Psalmist lists why he is calling on God to act!
8 Understand, O dullest of the people!
Fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?
He who teaches man knowledge—
11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man,
that they are but a breath. – This is spoken to those who think that God is powerless and not either a Judging or Vengeful Ruler! It’s as if he is saying ‘Prepare yourselves!’ Is the Psalmist talking about man himself or his thoughts when he says ‘knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.‘ From a pre-death point of view without breathing one’s body dies; It may mean that people are often speaking ‘hot air’; According to scriptural context it cannot mean that people are insignificant because God sent His Son to die for all men. His sacrifice demands a response, but the Bible doesn’t teach that those who continue in rebellion are wiped out. They are just sent to a place where God is not! How fear-filling is that! Nevertheless their thoughts don’t carry eternal weight, they are just a breath, but not without consequences!!
Psalms 115: 4-7 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Prayer: Teach me to walk humbly and honestly through life remembering that I will stand before You, forgiven my rebellion, but answerable for my thinking and actions!