Knowing the End From the Beginning
And taking it seriously.
Yesterday we were looking at the man (or woman) who is living a blessed life. Today, as we continue dissecting Psalm 1, our focus is on those who chose to take the opposite path in life. They are described as wicked.
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Psalm 1:4
I remember growing up that the word “wicked” was slang for unbelievably good. He is “wicked smart,” for example. Whether intentional or not this diminishes the power of the word to mean what it is supposed to mean. I think we do this because as a society we have a general discomfort labeling people with unfriendly descriptors. This means in general we are willing to dilute language in order to soften impact and, in the process, warnings, to those who would most benefit, go unspoken. And it is not so much that we should expect those who have made up their minds to pursue evil will listen and turn around, but stating tough love truths can impact young eyes and ears who are still trying to decide which road they should take.
In truth, as some people grow to become truly good, others grow to become truly bad, wicked, and evil. There is no disputing this, instead we generally prefer to ignore it. This is a mistake because unchecked wickedness in society grows and corrupts — as should by now be painfully obvious.
Take a look at Psalm 10. It describes the wicked mindset clearly and also God’s response.
Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.
In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.
He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.
Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.
The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land.
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Psalms 10 (ESV)
