One proverb and two commands are how the psalm ends. The proverb is simple and direct, “The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.” The faithful, as laid out in this psalm adhere firmly and devotedly to the Lord Jesus. They have a steadfast adherence to God even though entrapped by the wicked. The faithful trust in God while the proud trust in themselves.
The proud refuse to live in humble reliance on the Lord. They arrogantly try to make their way in the world either as a law to themselves or by relying on false gods. Thus, the proud and the wicked are the same. When they see someone faithful to the Lord and the truth of God they resent and despise them. They entrap them to harm them. The Lord pays back in full the evil committed by the proud. The Lord keeps and protects his faithful.
A command is given, yet not needed, “Love the LORD, all His faithful ones.” Still, when surrounded by the wicked sometimes I need to be reminded to love the Lord, be strong, and be courageous. Joshua was reminded by the Lord to be courageous when he was about to lead Israel into the land the Lord told him to go into. (Joshua 1)
Hezekiah reminded the people, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8) So I am reminded and I put my hope in the Lord Jesus.
