16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
The whole of Psalm 10 is an appeal to the LORD to intervene and deliver His afflicted people from their enemy, who is characterised as a proud boaster who persecuted the poor, showed no fear of God and lived an openly defiant and fraudulent life. The psalmist calls on the LORD to punish the wicked in verses 12-15, praises the LORD’s greatness in verse 16, and closes the psalm in verses 17-18 by expressing his confidence in the LORD’s willingness to rescue the helpless.
The verse for our meditation today expresses the grateful recollection of the LORD’s sovereignty by the poor man in his persecution and affliction. His declaration that the LORD is King for ever and ever, is a token of his confidence and joy. He remembers who the LORD is and rises up from his sufferings to engage in holy rejoicing and thanksgiving.
When the wicked men of the earth afflict the godly, let it not be thought that the LORD has ceased to reign. It is absurd to reason that the LORD and His greatness are confined by time and space. Indeed, the Lord is King for ever. He has, and ever will have, the supreme power.
The psalmist was terribly unsettled and despondent in his heart by the ungodly, merciless conduct of the enemy. However, he taught his heart to think of the greatness and everlasting majesty of God. Likewise, we also should instruct our hearts to believe and affirm the eternal greatness of our God in the midst of our affliction. Let us not think for a moment that the LORD would aid and establish those who live wickedly. Such men may seem to flourish, but the Lord will see to it that they meet their destruction. The LORD’s kingdom shall never be thwarted. His authority shall be vindicated, His absolute rule over all men shall be made manifest in His chosen time. He shall overcome all His foes.
Today we do experience all kinds of torments by people who live in their sin and unbelief. Even in the church, we often see carnal men upsetting the peace and unity of the church. The apostle Paul has warned in Acts 20:29 that “grievous wolves (will) enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Their perverse ways often afflict the hearts of those who seek to live godly and faithful lives. Yet as the apostle Peter declares, such will be damned and shall “bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).