A Stronghold for the Oppressed

I love Psalms 9 and 10! And here is why:

-For their exposition into God's provision for and protection of the oppressed and the fatherless - for those who have no human advocate or status in this world and thus can't protect themselves from the hands of evil.  This provides us with assurance that God not only hears the cries of the afflicted, but he "does justice" to and for them.  While admittedly the justice often does not comport with our sense of "proper" timing, we are assured here and throughout the Bible that God brings justice on the evildoer. 

"But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.  The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." (Psalms 9:7-9)

"The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land.  O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more." (Psalms 10:17-18)

-For David's honesty in recognizing that the evildoers seemingly not only get away with their evil but prosper from it in this world.  This is where many people argue that God doesn't care or God is not active in their lives because bad things happen to "good people" and good things happen to "bad people."  But what these Psalms remind us of is that we need to keep an eternal perspective.  God will bring justice to EVERY person on this earth, and the evil will be punished - but sometimes it won't be here on earth.  Sometimes it won't be until the person dies and receives eternal punishment.  And we need to always remember that with the evildoer, as with every one of us, the only way to avoid the just punishment of death and eternal punishment is through Jesus Christ, and his perfect sacrifice for us.

"[The evildoer's] ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. . . . The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.   He says in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it. . . . But you do see, for you note mischief  and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless." (Psalms 10:5, 10-11, 14)

-David starts it all off with remembrance of God's work and gratitude for that work. Remembering God's continual provision and protection is what fuels our ability to have faith that He will continue to be the stronghold for the oppressed and fatherless for all generations.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." (Psalms 9:1-2)