Righteousness vs. Wickedness – Part 2

Reasons for God not to hold His peace with the wicked: The mouth of the wicked and deceitful man is opened against the righteous (Ps. 109:2). They have lied against the righteous. They surrounded him with words of hatred (Ps. 109:3). They fought against him without cause. They are his adversaries despite his love toward them (Ps. 109:4). They have rewarded him evil for good (Ps. 109:5). They have rewarded his love with hatred.

Characteristics of the wicked: They speak wicked and deceitful words (Ps. 109:2). They speak lying words and words of hatred and they hate without cause (Ps. 109:3). They despise the love of good men (Ps. 109:4) and return evil for good (Ps. 109:5). They return hatred for love and are agents of satan (Ps. 109:6). They pose as prayerful men (Ps. 109:7) but are unmerciful (Ps. 109:16). They are oppressors of the poor and needy and murderers of helpless and innocent men. They love cursing (Ps. 109:17-19). They lack appreciation of blessings (Ps. 109:17). They speak evil of others (Ps. 109:20) and reproach good men (Ps. 109:25). They lack pity and kindness and are adversaries of good men (Ps. 109:29). They condemn the poor and needy (Ps. 109:31).  

Righteousness vs. Wickedness – Part 1

‘A righteous man hates lying.’ Five examples of hating lying: Joseph (Gen. 46:31-34); Samuel (1Sam. 3:18); Micaiah (1Kin. 22:13-14; Pro. 14:5); Jeremiah (Jer. 26:1-15) and John the Baptist (Matt. 14:4).

‘But a wicked man is loathsome, and comes to shame.’ Five examples of the wicked coming to shame: Jehoram (2Chr. 21:18-19); Gehazi (2Kin. 5:27); Jezebel (2Kin. 9:35); Manasseh (2Kin. 21:7-13) and Herod (Acts 12:21-23).

‘Righteousness keeps him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner.’ Righteousness protects the upright, but sin destroys the sinner.

To be continued…