A Look at Psalm 119:53

Psalm 119:53 “Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.”

In this verse David is continuing his thoughts about the laws of God. In the previous verse, he expressed the comfort he found in obedience. Now, in this verse, he voices indignation toward disobedience. This is true righteous indignation! 

The word “righteous” indicates the right or godly treatment of others. Righteous indignation signifies a type of constructive anger, being upset for the right reasons. In contrast, our tendency is to simply get angry at people and call it righteous indignation. Oftentimes our anger (indignation) has nothing to do with righteousness. 
 

What is it that upsets us when our own children disobey? Do we want to destroy them because of their disobedience? Do we pray, “God, annihilate my children because they forsake your laws?” Never! Yet we seem to pray that way for others. We forget God has no desire to destroy those who disobey Him. His intent, to bring them to obedience, is founded in a love which is even greater than the love we have for our own children. 

When our children disobey us, we become upset because of the damage it brings to their lives. We want them to obey for their own good. More importantly, we want them to obey, so that God can be glorified through them. If our indignation is truly centered around the glory of God, then it will not be directed toward the disobedient person himself. It will be more focused on the spirit of disobedience which has gripped the heart of that mankind. 

Ephesians 2:2 says that the prince of the power of the air (Satan) is the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. Our indignation should be directed toward that spirit more than toward man.
 

Take some time to let this verse sink in. Meditate on it, and as you do, ask yourself if you direct your anger toward others or towards the spirit of disobedience.

Continued