What does Psalm 140:11 reveal about God's justice towards the wicked? Text of Psalm 140:11 “May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.” Setting the verse in context • David has been crying out for deliverance from malicious enemies (vv. 1-10). • Verse 11 forms part of his Spirit-inspired appeal that God’s righteous order prevail. • The language is not mere wishful thinking; it reflects confidence that God’s justice is certain and literal. Key phrases unpacked • “No slanderer be established” – God denies permanence to those who distort truth (cf. Proverbs 10:30). – “Established” pictures being rooted or securely planted; the wicked are granted no enduring foothold. • “Calamity hunt down the man of violence” – Justice is not passive: disaster “hunts” the evildoer, tracking him like a relentless pursuer (cf. Psalm 34:21). – The violent man becomes the hunted; what he inflicted returns upon him (cf. Galatians 6:7). What this teaches about God’s justice • Retributive: Wrongdoing draws a fitting and measured response (Nahum 1:2). • Inevitable: Calamity is pictured as certain, not optional or occasional (Psalm 37:35-38). • Active and personal: God Himself directs the calamity; justice is not blind chance (Romans 12:19). • Moral stability: By removing the wicked, God safeguards the community and upholds truth (Psalm 101:7-8). Echoes across Scripture • Psalm 1:4-6 – “The wicked…are like chaff…The LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” • Proverbs 11:5 – “The wicked fall by their own wickedness.” • Isaiah 57:20-21 – “The wicked are like the tossing sea…‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’” • Revelation 20:12-15 – Final judgment confirms that divine justice ultimately removes all unrepentant evil. Implications for believers today • Take heart: evil’s seeming successes are temporary; God guarantees their collapse. • Resist retaliation: entrust vindication to the Lord who perfectly balances mercy and wrath. • Uphold truth: follow God’s pattern by rejecting slander and violence in every form. • Live confidently: the same justice that topples the wicked anchors the righteous forever (Psalm 125:1). |
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