Rise up, Lord, let man not prevail. Let the nations be judged before You.
David asks that human pride not gain final victory. The phrase “Let man not prevail” does not mean that every human success is bad. It refers to a self-sufficient power that opposes God, which seems able to act with impunity. The expression “Rise up” is a poetic prayer by which David asks the Lord to intervene openly and show who the true Judge is. The words “Let the nations be judged before You” remind us that people and nations cannot finally declare themselves righteous. The final verdict belongs to God. This verse brings comfort especially when evil power seems very strong and the truth defenseless. The believer can pray that the Lord would restrain violence, expose falsehood, and establish righteousness. Yet that prayer must not be born of self-righteousness, as though only others need judgment. We too stand before the same holy Judge and need His mercy. Therefore, the request for righteous judgment must be accompanied by personal repentance and humility.