Summary

The author is convinced of the punishment that awaits his opponents: saturation of all the earthly things. Nothing more than that. Over against that, he is sure that he will see God’s face, who is all justice. And with that likeness he will be satisfied. We see a contradiction in satisfaction—earthly (Psalm 17:14) versus heavenly (Psalm 17:15).

Some say that the phrase, when I awake, refers to the moment that he receives justice; he wakes up from a gloomy situation. Compare it with Psalm 30:5 Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Others say that it is more concrete: he wakes up the next morning and knows that the Lord only does justice. He beholds the face of God, who is just. He is unabashed at peace due to God’s justice—an unprecedented satisfaction. And this satisfaction exists even while we still lack so many things in this life. For, what are we to think of when we read your face and your likeness? In our everyday life, there is a distance between the Creator and his creatures. It can only be an expression of faith. In it, he professes first of all the justice of the Lord God. There are other commentators who go even further. At some point, he will see God’s face, on Judgment Day, when everything will be just. Then there will be complete joy when seeing God, to celebrate the new life in God’s presence. That is a beautiful satisfaction.

There is a big difference between earthly satisfaction and heavenly glory. We know the biblical coupling: to hunger and thirst for justice and then be satisfied (see also Matthew 5:6). And Matthew 5:8 fits with seeing God’s face. We also see agreement with Psalm 16:11: in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. In Revelation 7:16 we read: They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. So, there will be satisfaction and no lack of anything. There is a line that runs to Christ on the cross. With it is finished we may also think of fulfillment of God’s justice. Pleading for justice will take place until the return of Christ. The promise of that day may encourage us to fight for justice and fervently pray for it, like the persistent widow.