Morning Manna | Psalm 109:31 | He shall stand at the right hand of the poor

Psalms 109:31

31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

This Psalm is prophetic, in it, we see two types of character, the persecuting, wicked, deceitful group of men and we the poor man. In the life of David it was real-life situations that brought this Psalm about, some suspect it was Saul's treatment of him, or Absalom or Doeg, but either way, the Holy Spirit used some treacherous man and his followers to bring this psalm to fruition. Yet there is a greater betrayal that is herein prophesied of, it is this psalm that Peter quotes in Acts chapter one, when Matthias is chosen to take Judas's Bishopric, so we know that Jesus' followers understood this psalm to be prophetic of Judas, Jesus betrayer. The verse quoted was verse 8 "Let his days be few; and let another take his office." All the curses laid upon this man are horrible. We might be tempted to think that this comes from hatred in David's heart, but rest assured the Holy Spirit was inspiring David not just with the current betrayal he was passing through. Still, there was a future betrayal that would be far greater and thus we have such fiery indignation, not on the behalf of David but on the behalf of the Holy Spirit, who could see that man of sin, who Satan would enter and betray the poor man Jesus Christ. So we see the wicked man in this psalm and all his curses are typical of Judas but are applicable to all who would betray Jesus. Dear reader, if you betray Christ, it will have been better that you were never born, there are torments and cursing and horrors that even Hollywood has not dreamed of. Look at the markers of a Judas in this psalm and be warned, then look at the terrible judgment of a Judas and fear. 

Then there is the poor man, this poor man is Christ. Christ was indeed a poor man, in this very psalm he was said to be weak from fasting,  vs. 24 "My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness." He was not only wounded in his body but even his heart was wounded, Vs.22 " For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me." What did our poor Saviour do to merit such treatment? Verses 4-5 tell us, "4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. 5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love." All Jesus did was love the people, even Judas. He kneeled in the dust and washed his feet hours before Judas came with his band of soldiers to drag and whip and beat our poor Lord. Why I am I calling our Lord, the King of kings poor you may ask? Firstly because the scripture does here in this Pslam, and truly for our sakes he became poor, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." [2 Cor 8:9] We, in this Psalm, a detailed account of the riches of our Lord being turned into poverty, his love being rewarded with contempt, his blessing being rewarded with cursing, his life being rewarded with death, and for what? For me and you, his life was rewarded with death, his faithfulness with betrayal. This is the grace of God 2 Cor 8:9 says. Herein is grace seen in full color, the rich for the poor, the living for the dead, the almighty god for the powerless creatures! 

What group do we find ourselves in this morning? Christ always associated himself with the poor and needy in this life, and even in the judgment mistreatment of such people will be judged harshly. If we are with the poor and needy, then we are in good company with the Savior and we have a promise and blessing in the latter part of this Psalm. "For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul," I assure you as a Christian your love will be rewarded with hatred, your goodwill with malice, and your kindness with brutality, but fear not how men may reward you, for the reward of your father is far greater than the hurt of your betrayers, He stands at the right hand of the poor! He will be our rock and defense, our shield! Even if they slay us, he can raise us up, and will, just as he did our poor Saviour.