14 The wicked draw their swords
and string their bows
to kill the poor and the oppressed,
to slaughter those who do right.
15 But their swords will stab their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and rich.
17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the Lord takes care of the godly.
18 Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent,
and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
19 They will not be disgraced in hard times;
even in famine they will have more than enough.
20 But the wicked will die.
The Lord’s enemies are like flowers in a field—
they will disappear like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and never repay,
but the godly are generous givers.
22 Those the Lord blesses will possess the land,
but those he curses will die.
23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand. NLT
Using the outline below, compare the difference between the wicked and the godly. As you study, ask yourself which category the Lord considers you to be in:
Verses 14-15: The wicked-
Verses 16-17: The godly vs the wicked-
Verses 18-19: The godly-
Verse 20: The wicked-
Verses 21-22: The godly-
Verses 23-24: The godly-
Look again at verse 20. Where else in this chapter has David mentioned something similar? Why do you think David emphasizes this point?
::::: APPLICATION CHALLENGE :::::
In verse 24, how part does brokenness play in the life of someone who is godly? How does this truth play itself out in your life?