What does Psalm 125:5 teach about God's justice for the "evildoers"? Text of Psalm 125:5 “But those who turn aside to crooked ways— the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.” (BSB) What the Verse Reveals about God’s Justice • God Himself acts: “the LORD will banish,” not an impersonal force or human court. • Justice is certain: “will” leaves no loophole; evildoers cannot escape His verdict. • Justice is righteous: the banishment is directed at those who “turn aside to crooked ways,” underscoring moral accountability. • Justice is separating: evildoers are removed from the covenant community so that “Peace be upon Israel” can flourish. A Pattern Confirmed by the Rest of Scripture • Psalm 1:6 — “The LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” • Proverbs 11:21 — “Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.” • Isaiah 13:11 — “I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity.” • Romans 2:5-9 — Wrath for “those who are self-seeking and reject the truth.” • Revelation 21:8 — “The cowardly, the unbelieving… their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” Each passage echoes Psalm 125:5—God’s justice is real, unavoidable, and morally precise. Practical Takeaways for Today • Stay the course: refusing “crooked ways” safeguards fellowship with God and His people. • Find comfort: evil is not ignored; final justice is guaranteed. • Cultivate holiness: God’s peace rests where sin is resisted and truth is embraced. Summing Up Psalm 125:5 affirms that the Lord literally, personally, and decisively deals with evildoers, banishing them from His people so that His peace remains undisturbed among the faithful. |
    |