Of all the effects of sin, it has affected nothing so much as our equilibrium. It is hard to be balanced. We tend toward extremes. This psalm challenges us at a point on which we are currently at an extreme.
Psalm 54 does not present the whole truth on the matter of vindication, but what it presents is true. It is not right to reject the truth presented here or to apologize for it. The other side of the same matter is presented elsewhere in scripture, but we must not neglect the passages that present this side of the matter.
Current sensibilities are offended by any rejoicing over the defeat of wrongdoers. Rejoicing over the defeat of wrong has often been overdone. It certainly has its dangers; but it is not inherently wrong.
Indeed, there are “grey areas,” but some issues are plain. Those who take the wrong side of plain moral issues are to be opposed fervently and energetically. The defeat of such people is an occasion for rejoicing.
The current tendency of Western culture is to always suppress the desire to rejoice when sinners get their comeuppance. This is unbiblical, and it robs us of a legitimate joy.
On the one hand, there is great danger in rejoicing over the defeat of another, particularly if our problem with that person is personal in nature. We are warned against this in passages like Proverbs 24:17-18 and Matthew 5:43-44.
On the other hand, there is grave danger in the tendency to neutralize our emotions regarding evil. We think of C.S. Lewis as a religious writer. But he was primarily a literature tutor and professor. In that role, he found very little of the hatred of evil expressed in the Psalms in any of non-biblical literature. He concluded, “If the Jews cursed more bitterly than the pagans this was, I think, at least in part because they took right and wrong more seriously. For if we look at their railings, we find they are usually angry not simply because these things have been done to them but because these things are manifestly wrong, and are hateful to God as well as to the victim” (Reflections on the Psalms, 31).
We should be glad that Churchill did not picture Hitler as a nice guy who made a few bad decisions. If he had, the Empire would not have united to oppose Hitler. Hitler would likely have won the war and ended up ruling the world.
Think of the many scriptures that call for and rejoice in the defeat of those who work evil. This Psalm is an example.
“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. 5He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them. 6With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” (4-7)
Other examples are found in Psalm 58:10-11; 68:21-23, and in Deuteronomy 32:39-43.
There is a difference in the New Testament, but still there is a clear rejoicing in the defeat of evil. There is a difference in tone in Matthew 23, especially at the end. But the same certainty that God will judge evil is unapologetically presented. Other examples can be found in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 18:19-20; 19:1-3
Our focus
We are too human focused. Our focus should be on the glory of God, the vindication of his righteousness, the wonder of his mercy, and the acknowledgment of his sovereignty.
Those who focus too much on the victims, take justice into their own hands. In doing so, they are showing a lack of trust in God’s vindication. Robin Hood and his “merry men,” while supposedly redressing the wrong done to others, have (in real history) gotten carried away and done injustice in the name of justice.
On the other hand, there are some who are too focused on the wrongdoers. Yes, we should remember their humanity, that they are supposed to be made in the image of God. Therefore, we should not be unduly cruel. Yet, if they have completely dishonoured that image and disgraced God, we ought to be more concerned about his glory. We ought to rejoice when appropriate punishments are rendered.
A strange comparison
I find dung beetles interesting. I try to avoid running over them. But I never look at dung beetles when in the presence of an elephant. I find our preoccupation with humans a matter of giving too much attention to the dung beetles when we ought to be watching the elephant.
Paying proper attention to God includes rejoicing when his will is vindicated. And that includes rejoicing when wrongdoers are punished.