Verses 32-40

Tsadhe (צ)

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;

33 but the Lord will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

Qoph (ק)

34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Resh (ר)

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

S(h)in (ש)

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.

“Should” be Taw (ת) but it goes

back to Waw (ו) for three verses

38 But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Verses 32-38

The Lord will punish the sinful.

· The doublet of verses 32-33 tell us that the power of the even those who are not His children is under His control. He can take it away whenever He chooses.

· Verse 34, then, is a fitting reminder not to envy the wicked. They may have “power” here on earth. They may have “riches” but all they have is here. Our reward is the Lord’s blessing; their reward is the Lord’s cursing. Which side do you really want to be on?

· The doublet of verses 35-36 is a testimony many of us can probably attest to: someone who doesn’t know the Lord seems to have it all…then suddenly, it’s all taken away and this person just seems to fall off the face of the earth. Remember a sad truth: people will begin to forget you five minutes after you die. What legacy will you leave?

· The last doublet of this section is verses 37-38: David is saying a mouthful:

o Examine the lives of those who are genuine believers.

o Make careful note of those who live Godly lives.

o They have a future.

o The sinful: their future is destruction. Their future is eternal death.

Verses 39-40

The Lord will protect the righteous.

· Look at verse 39: From where does our salvation come? The Lord! No other. There is no hope in our ability, our strength, our talents, gifts, or dumb luck. Our hope—our only hope—is in the Lord.

· He is our “stronghold”:

o Hebrew: ma`owz מָֽ֝עוּזָּ֗ם)) literally means “strong fortress” and carries the symbolism of being kept safe in a time of danger.

· Verse 40 tells us because we take refuge in Him, he delivers and protects us.