Living for More Than What Is Seen

By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life (Psalm 17:14a).

Why does the psalmist appeal to the Lord for salvation from what he describes as "those of this world whose reward is in this life"? What is this specific reward? And what does this plea imply?

This prayer implies that there are two types of people: those whose reward is in this life and those whose reward is not in this life. This means that what we see in this life is not everything there is. There is something more than this life. If the worldview of this psalmist is correct, then the supernaturalists are correct.

Even though we don't know what this specific reward is, we can assume that this is something earthly, whether it is in monetary terms or in terms of political power and social influence. This also follows that there is a reward for what the supernaturalists describe as "eternal." If this is true, then this kind of reward is far superior to the first. If such is the case, a reasonable man and someone seeking his own happiness must live his life not only for earthly but also for eternal reward.

The first question informs us that the first type of men oppresses those whose reward is in heaven, perhaps because they see the hope of the latter as foolish. The oppressed find no hope from earthly powers, and that is why they appeal to the Lord for salvation.