“When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever,” Psalm 92:7.

Paul sets forth one of the reasons why we should read the Bible. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope,” Romans 15:4.

He repeats that same truth in 1 Corinthians 10:11. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Every ‘crumb’ of Bible truth is there for us to learn from, seek to obey and thereby to obtain comfort and hope.

Warring parties are quick to express their confidence in the outcome of any conflict in which they are engaged They will be the victors. How often they are utterly wrong!

It is not so with the Christian. We have a confidence that is born of God!

Here in this this Psalm, the Lord takes us by the hand, as it were, and shows us what the future of the wicked, whose words and ways show that they are constantly at war with the righteous, is and what is the harvest they shall most assuredly reap. Three simple things about the wicked are stated here.

I. THE BUDDING OF THE WICKED

“When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish . .”

1. How widespread are the wicked. It says that they ‘spring’ or ‘bud’ as the grass. Grass is to be found everywhere in this world. Even in the deserts of the earth, grasses are to be found. There is no successful way of suppressing it, as every gardener knows! In the light of this statement, we ought not to surprised at the ‘springing’ of the wicked all around us.

2. Certain climates particularly suit the growth of grass. We live on the ‘Emerald Isle’ because of the prolific abundance of grass. The prevailing westerly winds, bringing rain, suit the growth of grass. Likewise there are certain factors which assist the ‘budding’ of the wicked. Consider this verse: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows,”1 Timothy 6:10. This ‘avarice’, ‘greed’, ‘coveting’. These are the breeding grounds of iniquity. It damned Esau, Hebrews 12:16-17; it destroyed Achan, Joshua 7:20-21; It damned Judas, Matt 26:15-16.

3. Grass is rapid in its growth. It will ‘flourish’ very quickly, given the right circumstances. We older generation have seen wickedness flourish in our land and over-run it, particularly in the last 20 years. That which would have brought, a prison sentence and utter loss of social standing and utter shame, is today gloried in and flouted as something to be ‘proud’ of. I speak of sodomy and abortion. In company with these sins there is adultery and immorality, once deemed as shameful by the general population, but today it sits, unabashed, upon the throne of the United Kingdom!

4. Grass tends to kill off other plants. Thence the need to weed flower beds etc! Here is what Christ said: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold,” Matthew 24:12. Holiness is dying today because sin abounds on every hand.

II. THE BLOOMING OF THE WICKED

1.The Lord allows the wicked to flourish. Don’t think that they have gained the upper hand over God and that He has lost control.

2. God has a purpose in such flourishing. Note the words: “ it is that . . . .”. His will and purpose lies behind this development. Ever keep that in mind and rejoice.

3. Like all plants that ‘bloom’, the wicked give off an aroma!! However it is most foul aroma, reaching unto heaven. “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day,” Isaiah 65:5. An acrid, foul stench. How different is holiness! “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour,” Ephesians 5:2.

III. THE BURNING OF THE WICKED

“It is that they shall be destroyed for ever”.

1. Destruction is what lies before the wicked. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God,” Psalm 9:17. Hell is a place of burning. “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame,” Luke 16:24.

2. Their destruction is eternal. The place to which sinners are destined is one of everlasting torment. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever, . . . And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire,” Revelation 20:10, 14-15.

3. While we rejoice at the triumph of God over the wicked, the Lord would have us share the Saviour’s compassion (Luke 19:41-44) and seek to warn them. The Saviour’s compassion was beyond our comprehension. His heart was pained for these poor blinded sinners.

So ought ours for we were once as they are!