In the ancient world, kings were responsible for upholding justice and were often the final court of appeal. The maintenance of justice was vital because it was the difference between order and chaos. Here the psalmist, possibly David, looks to God as king and judge for justice against his persecutor. David appeals to God’s holy character: “With you,” he says, “evil people are not welcome…You hate all who do wrong.” Christian readers might feel that this seems to contradict what Jesus showed us about God’s gracious and loving character. Isn’t God the seeker of the lost sheep? Well, yes, he is, but he is also just. God would not be a good God if he were not just. Jesus did not do away with God’s justice, he fulfilled it by bearing the just punishment of sin for those who turn to Christ in repentance and faith. In Psalm 5, David prays that God would mete out justice for those who do not repent of their sin. The very reason why we must turn to Christ for salvation is because we will otherwise suffer the justice described in this psalm: we will be spurned by God (vs.4), declared guilty, and banished (vs.10). Paul quotes from this psalm as part of his diagnosis of universal human sinfulness in Romans 3:13. But then goes on to say that God has made a way for sinful people to be redeemed. In doing this Paul validates the call for justice in this psalm but also recognises that Christ fulfilled this justice for those who turn to him in repentance and faith. That’s good news.
Ask God for his just assessment of your life and confess whatever sins God brings to your attention.
Read Psalm 5
