Psalm 58:11 – “So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.”
A lot of times, we focus on the consequences of sin—and we should.
Psalm 58 talks mostly about God dealing with the wicked, and it’s a serious warning. But there’s another side to it—the blessings that come from living right.
The fear of the Lord works both ways. On one hand, it keeps us from straying because we don’t want to face His correction. On the other hand, it should also keep us focused on doing right because we don’t want to miss out on the blessings He gives to those who obey Him.
Built-In Consequences and Blessings
Everybody knows that sin comes with consequences. If you lie, people won’t trust you. If you steal, you could end up in jail. But what we don’t always think about is how obedience also has built-in rewards. God doesn’t just tell us to do things for no reason—His commands come with blessings.
Here’s just a few examples:
• Long Life – “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12).
• Peace – “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165).
• Safety – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
When we read Psalm 58:11, we’re reminded that living right isn’t just about staying out of trouble—it’s about stepping into the goodness of God.
Yes, God judges sin, but He also rewards righteousness. And the fear of the Lord isn’t just about avoiding His discipline—it’s about not wanting to miss out on all the blessings He has for those who follow Him.
A life lived for God is a life that’s truly blessed.
