In Psalm 9 there is a specific piece that stood out to me in my contemplation with the passage this morning.

There are interesting discussions to be had about whether or not Psalm 9 and 10 should be considered one unit or not. The argument for unity is founded in the fact that the two work together as an acrostic poem, working their way through the alphabet of the original language. Psalm 10 begins with the letter after the one Psalm 9 ends on. In most Bibles they are treated as separate Psalms though, that’s because the subject matter is very different. They both deal with justice and enemies as previous Psalms have, but they do it quite differently and therefore it’s hard to place them together. That’s a discussion for the scholars – it’s the subject matter that interests me.

It is verses 15-16 that got my attention this morning. They reflect Psalm 7:15-16. Both use a description of those who do wrong (in the case of Psalm 9 they are nations) preparing traps and getting caught in their own snares.  Verse 16 interjects the consequences of their actions with “the Lord is known by his acts of justice…” and finishes with an affirmation of the wicked being caught in their own traps. Verse 17 further cements their fate.

The biblical account of creation shows us that the intended state of the world is good; that evil was an introduction, not something that was intended. Revelation gives us what the world will be – the new heavens and the new earth. So the world was intended to be good and it will be perfected. Everything else is an anomaly that simply has a time and that time is finite. This leads to a natural justice that God can be known by. Ultimately the pursuit of evil will trip us up. Injustice has natural consequences that will see its downfall and by this we can know something of the nature of God. Justice is written into what He created. Injustice cannot win even though it can often seem like is does when we’re caught in the soul destroying middle of it.

For big examples, think about the Berlin Wall, Apartheid in South Africa, institutional and legal slavery in the UK and United States, the abuse of African Americans that necessitated the Civil Rights movement, and many other instances of systemic injustice. Though they all seemed strong and unmovable in their day, they all had their time – they couldn’t last forever. Ultimately evil was ensnared in its own trap.

I have no doubt that David was being more primal than that in his writing of the Psalm but the overarching sense of God’s character being made evident in the natural consequences of injustice and the resulting sense that evil cannot last is true nonetheless.

When we look at the mess of the world and the injustices perpetrated, including institutional injustice, we can rest assured that it isn’t forever. It will all have its time and it will all face its downfall. This assurance is seen again in the cross and resurrection. It’s the Easter story. When Jesus had been crucified and the disciples felt lost, death had its moment, but it did not win – it was defeated – we have the Resurrection and in it we find hope.

May we be people who hold onto this hope no matter how hopeless things may seem. Where evil has fallen may we see something of the God who acts justly and may that knowledge fuel our activity in the world.

Read more of my reflections on the Psalms.

Here’s why I’m walking this journey through the Psalms.