The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth.”
(Psalm 58:10–11)
NO DOUBT. The next image is especially disturbing to us because we are not a warring people. David simply anticipates the day when our stand for righteousness will be vindicated and we will participate in God’s victory over evil. God promises throughout the Scriptures that we will share in his victory; he does so using this language (Ps. 68:21-23; Is. 63:3; Re. 14:19,20; 19:14,15). One writer states it this way: “David washed his feet in Saul’s blood, Elijah in Ahab’s, Hezekiah in Sennacherib’s, without any agency or share in their destruction, and without any selfish or malignant exultation in their ruin.” While striving against unrighteousness in this world, our eyes must be fixed on that day when all our opposition, though mocked here, will be recognized and praised.
Finally, David encourages us with the great contrast between the benevolent Judge we serve and the cowardly authorities that temporarily rule over us.
Christ’s coming was the fulfillment of the prophecy that Israel clung to:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
And we have only to look forward to the day when we shall all say:
The kingdom of this world has
become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.
And he will reign forever and ever.
(Rev. 11:15)
Prayer
Pray that as you pray and work against evil now, God would give you an eternal perspective that works in hope of the promise of the final vindication of righteousness.
For opportunities to serve in our church and our city, please visit https://www.2pc.org/covid-19-ministry-partner-needs/.