Psalm 119:113-120

Psalm 119:113-120 

Samech  

The poet abhors and despises those who turn from God.

There will be a necessary segregation in the life of the disciple.  The disciple rejects those who are not loyal to God and His word with a faithful heart.  The double-minded person is attempting to both adhere to the Word of God and live as if the Lord’s command did not apply to him.  This double-minded individual is attempting to find safety in being on both sides; in contrast, the disciple has made the Lord his protection, his hiding place, and his shield.  

The disciple banishes the evildoers.  Notice that the double-minded man is not, in fact, a neutral. The double-minded man is actively practicing evil; there is no neutral position, and trying to be neutral is in fact an act of evil.  The poet expels these kinds of people from his company.  The word “Depart” in verse 115 is more than a simple command to go away.  This word is passionate to the point that it can carry an aggressive or violent overtone.  It was on one occasion translated “beheaded.”  The absence of these double-minded evildoers is necessary for the disciple to faithfully observe the Lord’s commands.  If any disciple allows double-minded hypocrites and evildoers to be his influencers or guides, it will be impossible for him to remain faithful to God. Our best hope is to see to it that the Word and those who are submissive to it are the stimulus for our lives.

In verse 118, the poet tells us that the deceitfulness of the wicked is useless.  That word "useless" is more potent than we first might expect.  The point the poet is making is that all the councils, plans, and machinations of the wicked are ultimately self-destructive.  Not only will these plans fail, but they will ultimately turn out to be the ruin of their conspirators.  Understanding the contrast between these wicked plans and the trustworthiness of God’s word, the poet is moved to greater affection for the Lord’s way.  He is in fear, both in that he holds the Lord with a reverent awe and is terrified of the idea of being on the wrong side and finding himself condemned by the Lord’s righteous judgment.  

“Lord, forbid it that I would have those who influence me be double minded. AMEN”