Psalms 139:19
Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
Psalms 139:19
This is one of the more uncomfortable transitions in the psalm: a acknowledgment of God’s justice against the wicked and a call for their removal. The psalmist expresses zeal for righteousness, expressing aversion to bloodshed and violence while recognizing God’s authority to reprove evil. It’s a plea consistent with biblical motifs that God acts to preserve the righteous and bring judgment on unrepentant wrongdoing. The verse sits in the ethical center of the psalm, balancing intimate praise with a cry for justice.
This verse reflects the biblical conviction that God judges wickedness and protects the innocent. It also raises questions about human judgment vs. divine judgment, calling readers to trust that God will handle justice in His time and way. It invites believers to align with God’s moral framework, not to take vengeance into their own hands.
- If you’re tempted to retaliate, pray for God to bring justice in His way, choosing restraint.
- Stand up for the vulnerable and oppose injustice in workplaces, communities, or institutions.
Cross-References: Psalm 72:12-14; Psalm 58:10-11; Proverbs 24:17-18; Romans 12:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:6