What kind of things does a person say to God? No doubt, we could suggest some things. Would we include an expression of hatred? The psalmist does here when he tells the Lord that he hates the double-minded. A double-minded person is a hypocrite who tries to face both ways at the same time. Like serving God and the world simultaneously. Yet that is impossible. The psalmist was not like that because he loved God’s law. And he had the comfort of knowing that he had God as his protector whatever dangers were threatening him. He knew that God would be true to his word (vv. 113-14).
The psalmist’s position in society caused him at times to be with evildoers (v. 115). Their presence was a barrier to him as he served God. Perhaps he is referring to advisors or counsellors whose words reduced the effect of what he advocated. He preferred that they would be absent since they and he had nothing in common. He wanted to promote God’s commandments.
Such a determination carried dangers for him (vv. 116-17). Therefore, he called on the Lord for his protection, to keep him from being overwhelmed or disgraced by his opponents. If the Lord upheld him, he would be safe and could continue obeying consistently the statutes God had given his people. His prayer for preservation was connected to his desire for God’s glory.
Some of his contacts resorted to cunning. Their methods were departures from God’s statutes, although those men may have imagined that the end justified the means. God rejected that method and turned those people away. They would experience the same divine rejection that is shown to all who are wicked. God’s consistency in this regard was a stimulus to the psalmist to love the testimonies he had received (vv. 118-19).
Nevertheless, he realised that fear and dread are appropriate responses to the holy God. When he acts in judgement, it is a terrifying experience (v. 120). He knows everything about us. And he has the power to punish. Even divine chastisement of his children is unpleasant for them. When we see his judgements, we should be afraid.
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