Psalms 34:16 “The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.”
To those who seek to live in righteous obedience to “the LORD”, it is a blessed encouragement to know that “The face of the LORD is against them that do evil”. In stark contrast, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalms 34:15) and “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17). The “face” is where expressions are seen by those around us; and, much is learned by watching a person’s expressions. Often, the expressions on a person’s “face” foretells what they are about to do. In this context, “them that do evil” refers to “them that do” very bad things to the faithful Children of God; that is, the painful and distressing things that would hinder our worshipful service to “the LORD”. “The face of the LORD” reveals to us that the Lord is about to take severe action against “them that do evil”. In history, and down to this very day, the wicked cyclically rise up, seize power, and use every “evil” device to stomp down Biblical morality and integrity and the worship of the Almighty God who Commands the morality and integrity. These wicked adversaries, often make a fatal mistake; because, they assume that the meekness of the Children of God means that they are weak. But, the truth is, “If God be for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31); for, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” (Psalms 28:7). Furthermore, the meek children of God rejoice, even as “the heathen rage” (Psalms 2:1); for, it is “the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight” (Psalm 144:1). Therefore, the meek are made strong by the Lord God Almighty; thus, they are made “able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). The “wicked” have not read the expressions on the LORD’s “face”, and they have a surprise coming; because, “The righteous” are crying out in prayer “and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).