Key Themes: Key Topical Themes Of The BibleSample

Judgment

Judgment gives people what they deserve, so it seems like the opposite of grace. In Psalm 9, both are present. The writer, David, is glad to see his enemies being judged by God in verses 3-8, but asks God to be gracious to him in verse 13. There is grace in judgment because if evil is not judged, people suffer. David sees that God’s judgment is a way He cares for the helpless and those who are suffering.

We need both God’s grace and His judgment. His grace is needed because all of us do things wrong, but His judgment is needed so evil does not happen without restraint. But we should avoid the attitude that desires grace for our mistakes and judgment for everyone else’s. God extends grace to everyone and judges everyone with righteousness.