the fullness of joy is in the Lord

“A  Miktam of David.
 1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
 I have no good apart from You.”

 3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.

 4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

 5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
You hold my lot.
 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

 7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
 8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
 or let Your a holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” - Psalm 16

David is writing about the joy that is found in dwelling with the Lord and fellowship with His saints. He makes it clear that because there is “no good” apart from the Lord, his delight is found in fellowship with the saints that are in the land and not the idolaters.  He shows us his satisfaction in the Lord, the delight of walking in the counsel of the Lord, and the hope of everlasting joy in the Lord’s presence.

satisfaction in the Lord

The psalms are full of proclamations of satisfaction in the Lord.  David understands that there is “no good” and no satisfaction apart from the Lord.  Therefore, he will not engage in any practices of idolaters because they only bring sorrows.  He will not even allow the names of the false gods to touch his lips. This is because the Lord is his chosen portion.  He find satisfaction in the way the Lord has established his life and longs for Him alone to satisfy.  Do you find satisfaction in the Lord as your refuge?

delight of walking in the counsel of the Lord

David writes that his “heart is glad” and “his whole being rejoices” because he walks in the counsel of the Lord (notice the “Therefore” in verse 9). His heart is glad and he rejoices, because the Lord instructs him in the ways he should go.  The psalms scream of the delight that is found in walking in the counsel of the Lord.  The world is constantly tugging at our hearts to see if we will seek happiness in other things but true delight is found only in the counsel of the Lord. 

the hope of everlasting joy in the presence of the Lord

And finally the joy and happiness we experience of walking in the counsel of the Lord on this earth is only a measure of the fullness of joy that is found in the presense of the Lord.  This psalm closes with the hope that God’s children should always have, that one day they will experience the fullness of joy that is found in the presence of the Lord. When the Lord reveals to us the path of life, our hope is set towards the day when we will experience pleasures forevermore in the presence of Jesus Christ. For the faithful who are called by God there is no corruption because Christ has risen and through Him we will be able to experience the joy of presence of the Almighty God.  What a wonderful promise! What hope we have in Christ!

- one who has seen that there truly is no good apart from the Lord

the beauty of God’s dwelling

“A Psalm of David.
  1 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
            Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

 2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
             and speaks truth in his heart;
 3 who a does not slander with his tongue
              and does no evil to his neighbor,
       nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
 4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
                 but who honors those who fear the Lord;
        who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
 5 who does not put out his money at interest
                and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
         He who does these things shall never be moved.” - Psalm 15

This short Psalm really turned my attention this week to the beauty of God’s dwelling.  The Psalm is built around the description of the person’s character that is able to be a guest of God.  The Psalm is beautifully put together with a question in verse 1, followed by an eleven point description of that man.  These wonderful qualities are not something that man conjured up on his own power, but on the gracious, imparting hand of God Almighty.

Verse 1 raises the question of who is able to abide in the tent of the Lord.  The holy hill mentioned in this verse can resemble His temple in Jerusalem.  What a powerful question!  Think about that for a moment.  Who is able to step into the Holy presence of God Almighty?  According to the entire counsel of Scripture, we know that thru the blood of His Son, we have been washed in His righteousness and given entrance in His Holy Hill! (Read Hebrews 7:24-28).  I say it often; what a Savior!

Verses 2-5  gives us the eleven points of the qualifications of this man.  Each point is wonderfully ties into other passages of Scripture (such as Matthew 5:3-12, Galatians 5:22, and James; to name some…there are more!) The answer to the question in verse 1 is found in the man whose life and actions show true obedience to God.  Take a moment and read Matthew 6:33.  I believe the most basic answer I can give to this amazing question is found in this simple verse; “Seek First His kingdom and His righteousness!” 

Do you do that?  Can you dwell in His presence, enter into His most Holy dwelling?  To quote the old hymn, “Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?” Do you live your life in such radical obedience that you can truly identify with what Christ said in Matthew 5:48 (about being perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect)?  Do you walk with integrity?  Do you live in His righteousness?  Do you speak truth from your heart?  Do you guard your tongue against slander? Do you reject the temptation to do evil to another?  Do you stop back biting your friends? Continue with the other questions in verses 4-5… you’ll get the idea.

Repent.  Confess your sins to the only One that is mighty to save.  May His grace shine upon you today as you receive the joy of abiding in Him.  Take a final moment and read John 15.  May His dwelling lead you to genuine and amazing worship today.  Soli Deo Gloria!

-From one who is joyful to abide in His dwelling.

the Lord looks down

“To the choirmaster. Of David.

1The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. 
2The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 
3They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. 
4Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD? 
5There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. 
6You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. 
7Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.” - Psalm 14

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
(Psalm 14:1a)

The truth often hurts. Relational absence with God results in nothing but folly. Paul explain this well in his letter to the Romans, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. From what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Rom 1:18-20). Yet, referring to these people as fools is only the beginning:

They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none who does good.
The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.

(Psalm 14:1b-3)

Paul, in his use of this passage (Romans 3:10-12) explains the truth of who we are in relation to a Holy God. Notice the building cascade of truth God allows the reader to see as he looks down upon man: 1) do any understand; 2) do any seek after God; 3) all have turned aside; 4) together they become corrupt; 5) no one does good; 6) not even one. This is who we are, totally corrupt; without God, that is how we would remain. Therefore it is completely understandable that the psalmist would ask:

Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord?

(Psalm 14:4)

Yet the truth still remains that all are under sin. So why would they call upon the Lord? It all comes down to whom do you fear: man or God:

There they are in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is his refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

(Psalm 14:5-7)

Pure undeserved grace is the answer. As Psalm 14 unfolds, it is clear that all of humanity is totally corrupt and depraved; that the psalmist yearns for salvation and restoration. The psalmist trusts God, he knows that salvation from Zion is eminent. This is because his heart is filled with grace. David wrote of the people around him, the false pious Judaism of the day. These people were fools for they denied the existence of God. But this fact illustrates grace in its rawest, most pure form. As Spurgeon attests: “Do we not confess that we by nature are corrupt, and do we not bless the sovereign grace which has renewed us in the spirit of our minds, that sin may no more have dominion over us, but that grace may rule and reign?”

Some people just don’t get it.

- Mac

let us just read (day 2)

“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

 3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
a light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
 6 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.” - Psalm 13

let us just read (day 1)

“To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
 1 Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
 2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

 3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,
 4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,
our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

 5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
 I will now arise,” says the Lord;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
 6 The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.

 7 You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us from this generation forever.
 8 On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man.” - Psalm 12

the glory of true refuge

“To the choirmaster. Of David.
 1 In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
 “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
 2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
 they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
 3 if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

 4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
 5 The Lord tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
 fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
 7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
 the upright shall behold his face.” - Psalm 11

Psalm 11 gives confidence to those who are faithful in the Lord that, even in a time of crisis, where fear can overtake you, the truth from this psalm can be something to lean on and find security in.  The psalmist has constantly expressed confidence in the Lord’s active work in the lives of the righteous and this psalm is no different. 

a refuge can be found in the Lord

The Psalm begins with the confession that the psalmist takes refuge in the Lord.  He knows that the wicked cannot shake his confidence by saying the righteous can do nothing against their schemes.  This is because the confidence of the righteous is not in themselves but rather in the Lord, God Almighty.  The wicked have confidence in their own strength and their own armies, while the righteous trust in the Lord alone.  In times of great distress this psalm can serve to be a reminder to us not to trust in our efforts but take refuge in the Lord.  There is true refuge to be found and it is glorious. 

the notice of the Lord

Then the psalmist moves to the second part of this short psalm and declares how the Lord acts towards the righteous and the wicked.  He begins by declaring again that the Lord is in His temple and on His throne in heaven. This tells us that the Lord is never shaken and nothing escapes His hand. His eye is on what is taking place in the world.  The psalmist tells us that He “test the children of man” (v. 4). The Lord tests both the righteous and the wicked.  His testing of the righteous is a chance for them to prove their faith and thus be strengthened and more perfect.  James tells us that this is why we should take joy in trials (James 1). Then the psalmists ends by letting us know that the Lord “hates the wicked” but “loves righteous deeds”  because He is righteous.  The wicked’s portion is “fire and sulfur and scorching winds” while the ”upright shall be hold His face.”  The end for the wicked is destruction and torment but the end for the righteous is glory upon glory. 

This truth allows us to take heart in times of trouble.  One day the resurrection of the dead will take place and the righteous will behold the glory of the Father and the Son while the wicked will perish.  And we find our righteous only by the righteousness of His Son (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Halleluliah, What a Savior! 

- one who takes refuge in the Lord

the LORD is King

“1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

 2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
 3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.
 4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
 5 His ways prosper at all times;
your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
 6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
 7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
 8 He sits in ambush in the villages;
in hiding places he murders the innocent.
His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
 9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket;
he lurks that he may seize the poor;
he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
10 The helpless are crushed, sink down,
and fall by his might.
11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,
he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
13 Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.

16 The Lord is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.” - Psalm 10

This psalm begins with a question.  One that we all have probably asked at one point in time, ”Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”  There are times when I feel the same way the psalmist does.  At times, it does seem like the Lord is standing far away.  Sometimes the anquish in my soul is so deep that it feels like the Lord does hide himself in times of trouble. But, it is always important, as we will see in this psalm, that while we do feel this way at times we remember that “The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever” (Psalm 29:10). The Lord does sit as King, nothing escapes His eye and nothing escapes His hand.  Everything is either permitted or carried out by God. What a wonderful truth to hold firm to? Now back to the psalm…this question guides us through the psalm but also finds it’s answer in the psalm. Psalm 10 can be divided up into 3 sections; the pride of the wicked (1-11), the plea for the Lord to act (12-15), and confidence in the Lord’s reign (16-18).    

the pride of the wicked (1-11)

The psalmist cries out to the Lord and asks why the wicked get away with the things they do and say. He then goes into details about how the wicked pursue the poor, curse the Lord, says “There is no God,” thinks he will not be moved, fills his mouth with cursing and deceit and oppression, seizes the poor and helpless, and causes the helpless to say God has forgotten them. These are serious things.  Sometimes it does seem like the wicked are the ones who flourish while the faithful struggle.  The apostle Paul reminds us to take heart in this struggle because we fellowship with the suffering of Christ (Phil. 3). The wicked will not always flourish and will one day receive their due justice and the Lord hears the prayers of the faithful and strengthens their hearts.  

the plea for the Lord to act (12-15)

The plea of the psalmist is for the Lord to arise and end the arrogance of the wicked. He asks the Lord to forget not the afflicted and then confesses that he knows the Lord does hear the pleas of the helpless and is by their side.  He asks for the Lord to break the arm of the wicked, or make them powerless. To bring them to nothing so that all wickedness will not remain.  He is asking for the Lord to act because the wicked renouce God and claim that He will not answer the plea of the helpless.  He pleas with the Lord for His name sake.

confidence in the Lord’s reign (12-18)

Once again we see that the psalmist does not only cry out to God but has confidence that He will answer.  He knows that the “Lord is king forever and ever” and that “nations perish from His land.”  The psalmist knows that “the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof, and all who dwell in it” (Psalm 24). The Lord reigns and the Lord is in control! He knows that the Lord will strenthen the hearts of the afflicted and incline His ear to their pleas.

Do you know that He hears you?

Do you know that the Lord hears you?  Do you know that the Lord sits on the throne?  It is easy to cry out to God and wonder why the wicked seem to prosper but it is harder to have the confidence that the psalmist has that the Lord is king.  Take heart from this psalm that you are not alone in wondering but know that the Lord reigns and does hear the prayers of His people and act on behalf of the afflicted that cry out to Him.

- one who knows that the LORD is King!

just God

A Psalm of Thanksgiving for God’s Justice.
For the choir director; on Muth-labben. A Psalm of David. 

1 I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
2 I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back,
They stumble and perish before You.
4 For You have maintained my just cause;
You have sat on the throne judging righteously.
5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy has come to an end in perpetual ruins,
And You have uprooted the cities;
The very memory of them has perished.
7 But the LORD abides forever;
He has established His throne for judgment,
8 And He will judge the world in righteousness;
He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.
9 The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble;
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion;
Declare among the peoples His deeds.
12 For He who requires blood remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O LORD;
See my affliction from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 That I may tell of all Your praises,
That in the gates of the daughter of Zion
I may rejoice in Your salvation.
15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught.
16 The LORD has made Himself known;
He has executed judgment.
In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared.

Higgaion Selah.

17 The wicked will return to Sheol,
Even all the nations who forget God.
18 For the needy will not always be forgotten,
Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.
19 Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged before You.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD;
Let the nations know that they are but men.

Selah

Psalm 9

 

It is important to remember the strain with which David writes the Psalms, seeking protection from his enemies, and from God’s enemies. The order of the Psalms are no accident.  Spurgeon notes that just as Psalm 7 was continued into the eighth, so Psalm 9 opens with an apparent reference to eight:

 I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

 As if “Your name” so highly praised in the former Psalm was still ringing in the ear of David as he writes for praise, petition, and protection. 

David arranges the Psalm into two sections with verses 1-6 as a song of jubilant thanksgiving for what God has done in the past. Verses 7-12 serve as a declaration of God’s future faithfulness. Verses 13-14 end this first section in prayer.   The second portion is a shorter parallel to the first: verses 15-16  are a song of past judgments; verses 17-18 declare David’s trust for future justice; verses 19&20 are a closing prayer.

God Precedes (vv. 1-6)

David recognizes that everything he has comes from God. God precedes the righteous in every step of their lives. Their hope, protection, provision, and praise is due to this truth. In the end, David is victorious not because he is king or a mighty warrior.  Just the opposite, it is because God has provided for David’s failures and weaknesses. David praises God for this and extols his Lord for the things which He has provided.

 God Continues (vv.7-12)

David then goes on to announce that God will continue in His provision, protection and righteous justice forever.  David has hope for the future, because God will always be there.  Notice that while there will be ever more who “know” the name of God, and will turn to Him; God’s actions are not dependent upon their response or action.  He will continue in Holiness and righteousness because that is who He is.

 God Remembers (vv. 13-14)

God remembers those who are afflicted and who call out to Him.  David transitions between the two sections with this truth resulting to a prayer of hope. He knows that if he calls out, God will not deny him grace.

 Sin Precedes (vv.15-16)

Just as God precedes the righteous, the wicked are preceded by sin.  It goes out before them, as a trap of their own making.  This sin is the rejection of God, for He has made himself known to all men. This sin will also precede the wicked into eventual judgment.

 Wicked Fail (vv.17-18)

While God Continues, the wicked will fail.  They will go into Sheol, to be separated from God forever.  Why?  David seems to imply that it is for retribution for the poor and week and needy.  It is not for their sake, however, but for God’s Holiness that they must fail eternally.  They will never rise up to commit sin again. But, those who have been righteous can be assured that they will see justice.

Judgment Comes (vv.19-20)

David makes one of the greatest statements here.  Let the nations know they are “but men.”  They are not God.  They do not precede anything.  They cannot continue of their own will.  They will not deliver themselves, much less anyone else.  Their fate is just, it is final, it is eternal.  The nations are not God, nor are they heirs of God.

 The Hope of David in You

Is there such hope and praise in you as there was in David?  David was facing real enemies, bent upon his destruction, and yet he had confidence and hope. If you are struggling today, praise God, for He has preceded you into the situation, and He will continue to see you through.  Rest easy in Him and He will exchange yokes with you. He will take your heavy burdensome weight, and give you the light yoke.

- Mac

this is why we praise Him

“To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.  A Psalm of David.

give thanks for His righteousness

Psalm 7
1O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge;
    save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
2lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
   rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
 3O LORD my God, if I have done this,
   if there is wrong in my hands,
4if I have repaid my friend with evil
   or plundered my enemy without cause,
5let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it,
   and let him trample my life to the ground
   and lay my glory in the dust.
                         Selah
 6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
    lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;
    awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.
7Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you;
   over it return on high.
 8The LORD judges the peoples;
    judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness
   and according to the integrity that is in me.
9Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,
   and may you establish the righteous—
you who test the minds and hearts,
   O righteous God!
10My shield is with God,
   who saves the upright in heart.
11God is a righteous judge,
   and a God who feels indignation every day.
 12If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword;
   he has bent and readied his bow;
13he has prepared for him his deadly weapons,
   making his arrows fiery shafts.
14Behold, the wicked man conceives evil
   and is pregnant with mischief
   and gives birth to lies.
15He makes a pit, digging it out,
   and falls into the hole that he has made.
16His mischief returns upon his own head,
   and on his own skull his violence descends.
 17I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
   and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 7

 This is a lamenting Psalm written by David. He writes this psalm after and incident in his life when a man from the tripe of Benjamin slandered David. What this psalm does is it gives us an example that those who are being persecuted can call upon God for help.

Verses  1-2 

The psalmist, David, begins the psalm with a passionate phrase that is a plea from the heart. “O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me.” David is in a time of persecution. During this time a great hardship David does not wonder how he can fix the situation or become angry at God. Instead, he says “In you (God) do I take refuge.” There is nothing else that he can find refuge in, but in Christ alone. And only through Christ alone can deliverance come about.

Verses 3-5

In these verses you can see the extent of the pain that David is going through. David gives a self-pronounced curse on himself. The reasons for these statements are two fold. 1) is the proclaiming of ones innocence (not the sinless aspect of a person) in the situation. 2) Is the repentance of the past, if he has committed the same wrong to another person, or the raising of awareness for the future.

Verses 6-11

The psalmist calls God to rise and judge. This seems kind of demanding and a little harsh. However, when we read the psalms we see that “God is a righteous judge” (v.11) and He judges all people, even David writing this psalm, and all are accountable (v.7-8); because He is righteous, He can have anger (v.6) and indignation (v.11) against those who threaten His righteous people (v.9). In the psalms, when it speaks of judging it is more often than not speaking of a saving action where God intervenes to save the ones that He has made righteous.

Verses 12-16

Here we read what is to come to those who do not repent of the sins that have been committed. In verse 12-13 it talks of the “active” wrath of God that will be poured out on those who have not repented. In verse 14-16 we see what scholars call the “passive” wrath of God where the evildoer has already started to destroy himself, and because of the unrepentant heart, God does not save him from the darkness but rather allows him to destroy himself.

Verse 17

For me, being logical minded, I look to why the psalmist will sing praises to the Lord. I love how to the point the answer is…It is because of God’s righteousness. Not by anything that David or anyone else can do, but because God is righteous. Just as David ended the Psalm with singing praise I would like to end with a song.

“In Christ Alone”
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand

-the one who worships because of God’s righteousness

Next Page »