March 11, 2021 -- Psalm 7:17 -- Tears of Lament and Unstoppable Hope

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,

and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 7:17 English Standard Version

Remember that this Psalm began with lament. In fact, much of the psalm is filled with crying out the Living God. And this verse, the final stanza of the Psalm ends with the decision to praise. There are two possibilities. One is that the LORD has rescued the writer from all who pursued him. He is aware of the great deliverance of the God Who is His shield. Thanks be to the Living God, Who will rescue His people.

The second possibility is that the LORD has not yet rescued this one who is lamenting. The tears have gone out. The cries are still reverberating through the cosmos. The LORD on His throne has heard and the anguished one has vowed to praise the LORD. Whether his circumstances have changed right at that moment or not, the LORD has heard and He Who hears will act. Tears have given way to hope. That is the greatness of our God.

In fact bringing both this restoration of hope and enacting righteousness are what Jesus has done at the cross. All our wrongs have been placed on Jesus and He was punished for them in our place. At the cross where we formerly lamented when it seemed wrong-doers, enemies and betrayers have not been punished, we now plead for the salvation of our betrayers. Because He Who was crucified will return—as the Just Judge and the One Who makes all things right by His righteous judgments. Those who have not joined us in submitting to Jesus Christ and seeking in Him forgiveness will themselves bear the full weight of God’s wrath on their sins. This leads us to urgently pray, LORD, have mercy on them.

Man of Sorrow, Jesus our Savior-King—thank You for rescuing us at the cross! Thank You for bearing the full weight of God’s just anger against our sin. Thank You Father in heaven, that in Jesus, You call us beloved sons and daughters. Spirit of God, bring our enemies and betrayers to the full knowledge of Jesus’ redeeming work! Spirit of Truth rescue them from the hell of torments that awaits them, so that we, betrayed and betrayers, may kneel before Christ our King and in unison declare: “Hallelujah! What a Savior! May the thanks due Your Righteousness, Triune God, be declared in song and deed, praise and acts of holy service. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Q3F1Gq1IoLI