What is the meaning of Psalm 145:20? The LORD preserves • “The LORD preserves…” highlights God’s personal, active care. He is the One who keeps, guards, and shelters His people (Psalm 121:7-8; 2 Timothy 4:18). • This preserving work covers every realm—body, soul, and future hope. David earlier declared, “For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling” (Psalm 116:8). • The promise is sure because it rests on the Lord’s changeless character (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). all who love Him • Love for God is the distinguishing mark of those He preserves. Jesus tied love to obedience: “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me” (John 14:21). • Love is relational, not merely emotional. It involves trust (Psalm 37:3-5), reverence (Deuteronomy 6:5), and joyful service (Psalm 100:2). • Scripture consistently connects love for God with divine protection: “Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful” (Psalm 31:23). Jude echoes, “Keep yourselves in the love of God” while looking forward to Christ’s mercy (Jude 1:21). but all the wicked • “The wicked” refers to those who reject God’s rule and pursue evil (Psalm 10:4; Romans 1:18-21). • Their path contrasts sharply with the lovers of God. Psalm 1:6 frames the divide: “For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish”. • Wickedness is not just occasional misstep; it is a settled stance of rebellion (Proverbs 4:16-17). He will destroy • God’s holiness necessitates judgment. The same Lord who preserves the faithful “will destroy” the unrepentant (Isaiah 13:11; Nahum 1:2-3). • Destruction can appear in temporal acts (Genesis 19; Acts 12:23) and will culminate in final judgment: “Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). • Jesus affirmed this sober reality, warning of a day when He will say, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). summary Psalm 145:20 draws a clear line: God lovingly protects every person who loves Him, yet He will decisively judge those who persist in wickedness. His preservation flows from covenant love; His destruction flows from holy justice. The verse invites trust in His safeguarding care and trembling awareness of His righteous judgment, urging every heart to love the Lord and walk in His ways. |
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