The Drawn Sword of the Wicked - Psalms 37:14

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse fourteen of Psalms David said, “the wicked have drawn out the sword” where we read,

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,

to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

The verse begins, “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, ...” David began with the words, “the wicked” or “the criminal, guilty of sin, evil and hostile to God and others” “have drawn out the sword” or “have loosened, broke forth and ungird the knife, cutting instrument, axe, dagger and mattock”, “and have bent their bow” which means “stretched, pulled back and drawn their, the wicked person's, archers' bow for hunting and battle”. David said the people who commit evil and are hostile to God and others have broke forth their cutting instruments and drawn back their hunting bows as in preparing to cut and shoot.

The verse goes on to say, “... to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.” David continued with the words, “to cast down” or “to befall, attack, desert and waste away” “the poor and needy” which means “the afflicted, humble, weak and lowly as well as the person who is subject to oppression, abuse, trouble and begging”, “and to slay” or “and to slaughter, butcher and ruthlessly kill” “such as be of upright conversation” which means “people who are straight, correct, right, straightforward, fitting and proper in their journey, manner, direction and habits”. David said the reason the “wicked” have ungird their “sword” and drawn their “bows” was to attack and waste away people who are humble, weak and lowly and who live in a manner that is correct, right and straight.

When we consider words in this verse, we learn through David how the purpose and drive of people who commit “wickedness” is to attack and waste away those who are “right and correct”. Rather than support and encourage them, “evil” people seek to destroy those who have a correct relationship with God. God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of every person, however, only a few humble themselves, repent of their sins and receive His gift of salvation. These people, like Jesus Himself, become persecuted and attacked for their faith and trust in Him, and they may suffer afflictions from “wicked” people. There is, however, no need to fear, God sees them all and will bring justice against those who intend to attack.

Next time David says, “their sword shall enter into their own heart”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".