WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.000 Psalm 5 today, a slightly longer psalm, and it has some fairly complex issues involved 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:15.540 with it, and I'll try to keep it short. 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:20.500 Psalm 5, verses 1 to 12. 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:26.859 Now I'll read it out loud for us. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:32.259 It's to the choir master for the flutes, a psalm of David. 00:00:34.019 --> 00:00:36.280 Give ear to my words, O Lord. 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:38.480 Consider my groaning. 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:43.980 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:46.239 For to you do I pray. 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:50.239 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:54.679 In the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:00.039 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness. 00:01:00.519 --> 00:01:02.340 Evil may not dwell with you. 00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:06.640 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes. 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:09.120 You hate all evildoers. 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:12.760 You destroy those who speak lies. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:16.340 The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:24.219 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:29.760 I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:34.520 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness. 00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:39.340 Because of my enemies, make your way straight before me. 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:42.520 For there is no truth in their mouth. 00:01:42.740 --> 00:01:44.820 Their inmost self is destruction. 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:47.200 Their throat is an open grave. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:49.340 They flatter with their tongue. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:53.640 Make them bear their guilt, O God. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:56.520 Let them fall by their own counsels. 00:01:58.040 --> 00:02:00.520 Because of the abundance of their transgressions, 00:02:01.820 --> 00:02:02.620 cast them out. 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:04.760 For they have rebelled against you. 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:08.900 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice. 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:11.400 Let them ever sing for joy. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:14.539 And spread your protection over them. 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:18.560 That those who love your name may exalt in you. 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:20.879 For you bless the righteous, O Lord. 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:24.080 You cover him with favor as with the shield. 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:27.680 So, 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:33.939 the world is full of suffering and injustice. 00:02:33.939 --> 00:02:36.259 And a lot of, 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:37.960 we see that all around us. 00:02:38.079 --> 00:02:39.340 The poor are defrauded. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:44.099 And made poor while the rich are sheltered. 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:46.319 And made richer. 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:50.659 In this imperfect order of injustice in this world. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:52.500 Sometimes the innocent are unfairly punished. 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:53.840 While the wicked roam freely. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:55.800 And it is in this context, 00:02:56.159 --> 00:02:56.939 the question of suffering. 00:02:57.800 --> 00:03:00.319 Of how a good God and a sovereign God, 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:01.159 all powerful God, 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:04.299 can allow such suffering and injustice in this world. 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:05.299 And of course, 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:07.680 there are satisfactory philosophical answers for this. 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:09.840 But the philosophical answer, 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:11.060 though it's not unimportant, 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:14.819 is often intellectually satisfying, 00:03:14.979 --> 00:03:16.579 but not emotionally satisfying. 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:18.819 It's not viscerally satisfying. 00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:21.459 But the Psalms, 00:03:21.560 --> 00:03:22.819 their response is a little different. 00:03:23.139 --> 00:03:25.519 They do not sanitize, 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:28.500 sanitize the presence of real evil 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:29.900 and suffering in this world. 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:30.500 Instead, 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:33.479 they help us to think and feel with God. 00:03:34.199 --> 00:03:35.219 And this Psalm, 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:36.219 Psalm 5 in particular, 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:38.319 tells us that we can take refuge in the Lord 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:42.319 because of the abundance of God's steadfast love 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:42.840 and righteousness. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:45.060 We can take refuge in the Lord 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:47.500 because of the abundance of God's steadfast love 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:48.340 and righteousness. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:50.879 And in the first part, 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:54.080 it tells us about how God's love issues in our worship. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:55.460 It leads us to worship. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:03:59.620 Excuse me. 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:01.539 It begins in verses 1 to 3. 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:05.539 1 to 7, really, 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:09.439 where the psalmist prays and prepares for worship. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:14.439 And he confesses that God is my king and my God. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:15.879 So we can tell already 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:17.860 that this intimacy prompts him toward prayer. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.899 He's not just reaching out to our king, 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.800 his people's king or his people's God, 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:26.879 but this is God he knows. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:27.779 He's my king. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:29.000 This is my God. 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:31.420 And so that he utters to him 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:32.459 not just formal prayer, 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:34.459 but also his groaning and cries, 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:35.819 it says in verses 1 to 3. 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:38.699 And he's confident that he will hear God's voice. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:41.719 But as he approaches God in prayer, 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:45.480 he is reminded of God's holiness. 00:04:46.240 --> 00:04:47.779 And as he reflects on God's holiness, 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:51.779 he's reminded that the evil that surrounds him 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:53.120 is brought into sharp belief. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:56.420 And so he acknowledges in verses 4 to 6, 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:59.319 you are not a God who delights in wickedness. 00:04:59.459 --> 00:05:00.740 Evil may not dwell with you. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:03.339 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes. 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:05.000 You hate all evildoers. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.220 You destroy those who speak lies. 00:05:07.220 --> 00:05:09.960 The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful men. 00:05:10.640 --> 00:05:12.160 And these are really categorical, 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:13.240 strong statements, right? 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:15.680 And they get progressively more intense 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:19.280 if you look at how the list is arranged. 00:05:19.700 --> 00:05:21.860 So first, it says that God in no way 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:22.980 delights in wickedness. 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:24.360 In verse 4, 00:05:24.440 --> 00:05:26.620 but it's not only that he doesn't delight in wickedness, 00:05:26.820 --> 00:05:29.080 he can't even stand evil. 00:05:29.260 --> 00:05:30.460 He has such an aversion to evil 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:33.180 that evil may not even dwell with him, right? 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:37.079 And it goes from the abstract idea of evil 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:40.599 that it's not merely that he's displeased by evil, 00:05:40.719 --> 00:05:41.399 irked by evil, 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:44.459 but that he opposes also evil people. 00:05:45.299 --> 00:05:46.000 It's not that, 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:48.079 so it's verses 5 to 6, 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:48.319 it says, 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:50.319 God hates all evildoers. 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:52.339 He destroys those who speak lies, 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:55.019 and he abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful men. 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:56.919 And this is challenging 00:05:56.919 --> 00:05:59.039 because it flies in the face of our 00:05:59.039 --> 00:06:01.060 to feel good maxim that we use a lot, 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:01.659 which is, 00:06:01.859 --> 00:06:04.560 God hates the sin but loves the sinner. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:08.680 And because that's not exactly a biblical statement, 00:06:08.979 --> 00:06:12.299 because God's wrath is not some impersonal force 00:06:12.299 --> 00:06:14.639 that's inevitable because of our sin, 00:06:14.799 --> 00:06:17.919 but rather it's a personal outpouring of God's justice. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:21.379 And as theologian Leon Morris writes, 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:24.459 it is largely because wrath is so fully personal 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:25.359 in the Old Testament 00:06:25.359 --> 00:06:28.000 that mercy becomes so fully personal. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:30.939 For mercy is the action of the same God 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:31.680 who was angry, 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:34.000 allowing his wrath to be turned away. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:37.500 And so this teaches us that God not only hates sin, 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:39.019 but he hates sinners, right? 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:40.779 For their stubborn rebellion. 00:06:41.039 --> 00:06:43.779 And yet this fierce hatred towards sinners 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:46.659 doesn't preclude his unyielding love for them. 00:06:46.659 --> 00:06:48.500 They exist simultaneously. 00:06:49.299 --> 00:06:50.859 And it's his love, precisely, 00:06:51.039 --> 00:06:53.639 that restrains and delays his judgment and wrath. 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:56.979 So we have to hold those two things in tension 00:06:56.979 --> 00:06:59.579 where we don't sterilize God's wrath 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:01.639 so that people who are sinning 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:03.439 can live contentedly, 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:05.759 assuming that God still loves them 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:08.099 and that the weight and fury of God's personal wrath 00:07:08.099 --> 00:07:08.879 toward them is, 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:09.979 they don't feel it. 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:13.339 C.S. Lewis writes about this 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:14.359 in his reflection on the psalm. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:14.560 He said, 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:16.299 the ferocious parts of the psalms 00:07:16.299 --> 00:07:17.620 serve as a reminder 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:19.139 that there is in the world 00:07:19.139 --> 00:07:20.679 such a thing as wickedness, 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:23.040 and that it is hateful to God. 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:27.300 And note the word for 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:28.740 at the beginning of verse 4. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:32.740 It's this holiness of God 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:34.120 that enables, 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:37.460 his wrath toward evil doers 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:39.939 that enables the psalmist to pray. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.879 That's his reason for praying. 00:07:41.960 --> 00:07:43.420 He's the grounds for his prayer. 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:45.079 Because, of course, 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:46.139 the victim of injustice 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:47.899 is not going to go to a court 00:07:47.899 --> 00:07:49.639 where he knows there's a judge 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:50.560 who's corrupt 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:52.159 and takes bribes from his enemies 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:52.799 and his opponents. 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:54.359 He will take, rather, 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:55.779 the case to a place 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:56.899 where a judge is known 00:07:56.899 --> 00:07:59.779 for his uncompromising integrity. 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:01.359 And so, likewise, 00:08:01.539 --> 00:08:02.099 in this case, 00:08:02.239 --> 00:08:03.939 because the psalmist knows 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:04.899 that God's uncompromising 00:08:05.539 --> 00:08:07.199 and resolute in his righteousness, 00:08:07.599 --> 00:08:08.239 his holiness, 00:08:08.419 --> 00:08:09.039 and his justice, 00:08:09.539 --> 00:08:11.019 that's what enables the psalmist 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:11.500 to pray, 00:08:11.679 --> 00:08:13.500 the verses in 8 and 10. 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:14.500 8 to 10. 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:17.519 But, at this point, 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:20.000 God's righteousness alone 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:20.579 isn't enough 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:21.600 for the psalmist to come 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:22.060 because, 00:08:22.339 --> 00:08:23.180 if that's the case, 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:25.899 the psalmist also may fail 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:27.800 and may not qualify 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:28.540 in God's eyes. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:29.680 He has to make sure 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.480 he has a perfectly good, 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:32.899 right case. 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:35.740 And that's why, I think, here, 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:37.720 the psalm takes a surprising turn, 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:38.600 verse 7, 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:40.139 because he doesn't go 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:41.580 from extolling God's righteousness 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:42.960 and then to extolling 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:43.720 his own merit, 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:44.440 but rather, 00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:46.080 the basis for the psalmist's prayer 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:47.920 is God's steadfast love, 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:48.340 right? 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:49.700 So, Psalm, 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:50.600 verse 7 says, 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:51.120 But I, 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:52.240 through the abundance 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:53.720 of your steadfast love, 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:54.899 will enter your house. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.180 I will bow down 00:08:56.180 --> 00:08:57.220 toward your holy temple 00:08:57.220 --> 00:08:58.360 in the fear of you. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:00.300 And there's a wonderful 00:09:00.300 --> 00:09:02.340 asymmetry. 00:09:04.540 --> 00:09:05.320 Asymmetry here. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:06.360 Asymmetry here 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:07.440 because the psalmist says 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:08.879 that because of the abundance 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.960 of God's steadfast love, 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:11.180 he can enter 00:09:11.180 --> 00:09:12.040 into God's presence 00:09:12.040 --> 00:09:12.860 and bow down 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:13.660 at the temple in worship. 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:14.519 And then, 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:16.980 contrast that with verse 10, 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:18.940 where the psalmist notes 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:20.700 that because of the abundance 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:22.840 of the enemy's transgressions, 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:25.379 they are cast out 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:26.940 because they have rebelled 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:27.660 against God. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:27.879 So, 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:28.820 same word, 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:29.340 abundance. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:30.500 So, 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:31.700 while it's the abundance 00:09:31.700 --> 00:09:32.720 of their own transgressions 00:09:33.300 --> 00:09:33.860 that lead 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.759 God's enemies 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:35.720 to be cast out 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:36.680 and in rebellion, 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:38.160 it's God's, 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:39.600 it's not the psalmist's 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:40.660 abundant righteousness, 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:41.379 but rather, 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:42.539 the abundance 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:44.159 of God's steadfast love, 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.019 his grace, 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:46.980 that he's able to enter 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:48.339 into God's presence. 00:09:48.459 --> 00:09:49.699 There is a symmetry here. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:51.120 It's not parallel. 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:51.220 Israel. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:54.440 And so, 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:55.139 and then this, 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.779 this abundance of God's steadfast love 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:58.779 ultimately is what fosters worship. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:09:59.019 So, 00:09:59.080 --> 00:09:59.580 in verse 7, 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.159 the psalmist says, 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:01.039 I will bow down 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.000 toward the holy temple 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.320 in the fear of you. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:06.420 And, 00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:08.120 so, 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:09.460 this is how God's love 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:10.240 promotes, 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:11.320 leads to issues 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.160 in our worship. 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:14.020 But then God's judgment, 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:15.420 God's righteousness, 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.120 on the other hand, 00:10:16.260 --> 00:10:17.280 leads to his judgment 00:10:17.280 --> 00:10:18.800 toward evildoers. 00:10:19.060 --> 00:10:19.740 And you see this 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.760 in verse 8 to 10. 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:21.680 It says, 00:10:21.780 --> 00:10:22.200 Lead me, 00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:22.620 O Lord, 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:23.340 in your righteousness 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:24.620 because of my enemies. 00:10:24.760 --> 00:10:26.400 Make your way straight 00:10:26.400 --> 00:10:27.040 before me. 00:10:27.160 --> 00:10:27.240 So, 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:29.040 this is psalmist's prayer. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:29.860 He prays that God 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:30.700 will protect him 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:31.940 and to make his way straight. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.980 And because his way, 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:34.600 his righteousness 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:36.639 is threatened by his enemies. 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:38.159 And that's why verse 9 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:39.620 again begins with the verse 4. 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:40.279 For, 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:42.600 there is no truth in their mouth. 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:44.220 Their inmost self is destruction. 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:45.820 Their throat is an open grave. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:47.180 They flatter with their tongue. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:51.259 And it's noteworthy 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:52.000 that the entirety 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.120 of this list of sins 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.440 is, 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:55.720 has something to do with speech. 00:10:57.060 --> 00:10:58.980 As James 3, 6 confirms, 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.180 the tongue is a fire, 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:01.580 a world of unrighteousness. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:02.740 And these evildoers, 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.080 their sin primarily 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:05.419 has to do with their speech. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.120 So much so, 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:08.759 there's no truth in their mouth. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:10.060 Their throat is like 00:11:10.060 --> 00:11:11.159 an open grave 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.879 from which the stench of death 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:13.899 just oozes out. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:18.120 And to this, 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:18.980 the psalmist responds 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:20.060 by praying in verse 10. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:22.480 Make them bear their guilt, 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:23.000 O God. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:23.960 Let them fall 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:24.740 by their own counsels. 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.460 Because of the abundance 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.680 of their transgressions, 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:28.460 cast them out, 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:29.860 for they have rebelled 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:30.879 against you. 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:33.039 And I think 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:34.019 if we're honest 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:34.820 with ourselves, 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.720 this kind of prayer 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:37.399 makes us a little uncomfortable. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.039 Because it seems 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:40.899 to fly in the face 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:42.360 of Jesus' teaching 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.500 to love our enemies, 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:44.320 pray for those 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:45.500 who persecute you. 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:46.879 And so, 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:47.539 we might ask, 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.139 do these psalms 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:49.300 actually apply to us? 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.159 Do they teach 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:51.980 a sub-Christian ethic, 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:53.000 a Jewish ethic, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.860 an Old Testament ethic 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.700 that's passed away? 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.700 And I don't think so. 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:58.120 And the reason is 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:58.700 that first, 00:11:59.440 --> 00:11:59.860 we have to note 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.420 that the psalmist 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:01.040 is not seeking 00:12:01.040 --> 00:12:02.320 personal vengeance. 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:03.360 He's not seeking 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.600 the exact personal vengeance, 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:06.580 but he's calling, 00:12:08.020 --> 00:12:09.300 even though he does call 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:09.980 these evildoers 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.600 my enemies, 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.240 in verse 8, 00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:13.280 it's clear from verse 10, 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:14.220 the context there, 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.940 that they're his enemies 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:16.560 because ultimately 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.379 they're God's enemies. 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.340 Because he says 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:19.400 that they rebelled 00:12:19.400 --> 00:12:20.379 against God. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.080 So the psalmist here 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:22.920 is not motivated 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:24.140 by a personal vendetta, 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.919 but he's consumed 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:26.559 by his zeal 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.500 for God's glory. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.600 Especially since 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.679 this is a psalm of David, 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.659 and David's a king, 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.819 and that prefigures 00:12:33.819 --> 00:12:34.500 the Messiah, 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.279 Jesus Christ. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:36.639 And he, 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:37.860 so an offense 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.120 against the king, 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:40.340 God's anointed king, 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.279 and his kingdom, 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:41.879 Israel, 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:43.860 is at this stage 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.740 of God's revelation 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.759 a direct offense 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.460 against God 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.460 and his kingdom, 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.360 rebelling against him. 00:12:50.939 --> 00:12:54.080 Excuse me. 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.379 And then secondly, 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.139 we have to note 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:56.819 that the psalmist 00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:58.299 is praying to God 00:12:58.299 --> 00:13:00.679 that God will enforce 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:01.620 his holiness and justice, 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:03.080 and he's not taking things 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.059 in his own hands 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:05.439 to enforce his own justice. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.240 He's praying 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.480 that God will do this, 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:09.620 and he's in doing so 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.559 entrusting himself 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.480 to God's justice 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.039 and holiness 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.759 and care. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.600 And then finally, 00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:17.000 I think a prayer 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.919 for God's justice 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:19.600 and love for our enemies 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:21.080 are not mutually exclusive. 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:23.279 Because, 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:23.720 yes, 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.759 we should love our enemies, 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:25.240 yes, 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:26.259 we should pray for them 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:27.519 and be reconciled to them 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.480 if at all possible, 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:30.480 and we should do good to them 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:32.059 even as they do evil to us. 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:33.700 But when injustice 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.480 cannot be righted, 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:38.419 and when people suffer, 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.279 when there's injustice 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:39.840 in this world, 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.280 it is morally imperative 00:13:41.280 --> 00:13:42.259 for us to pray 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.259 for God's justice, 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.139 not for our sake, 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:45.840 but for the sake 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.980 of God's glory. 00:13:47.420 --> 00:13:48.540 And I think perhaps 00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.740 we're uncomfortable 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:51.160 with this kind of prayers 00:13:51.160 --> 00:13:53.800 because a lot of Christians 00:13:53.800 --> 00:13:55.700 have become functional deists 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:57.480 that believe that 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.740 after Jesus' first coming, 00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.460 that God basically 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:01.540 lets the world run on its own, 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.420 doesn't really interfere 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:03.100 in its affairs, 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.820 and then not until 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.940 the second coming of Jesus 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.940 when God finally judges 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:07.540 the whole world. 00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:09.780 And that's not the way it is. 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:11.660 Because God's not 00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:13.060 an uninterested spectator. 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:13.800 Rather, 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:14.480 He's active 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.840 and continually works 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:16.600 in history 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:17.639 and in our society. 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:19.660 And we would be callous 00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:20.300 and indifferent 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:21.080 to the suffering 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:21.800 and injustice 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:23.000 and evil in this world 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:24.600 if we simply, 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.600 we do not pray, 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.420 cry out to God 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:27.200 for His justice 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:28.500 to overtake evildoers. 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.500 So there's a place for that. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.500 There's an appropriate 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.340 place for that. 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.580 And so then, 00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:35.639 God's love issues 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.340 in our worship 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.759 and His dry stricciness 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:39.000 issues in His judgment 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.460 of God's enemies. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:42.539 And it is for this reason, 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.480 because of both 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.320 God's love 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:45.259 and righteousness, 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.360 that we can take refuge 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:47.940 in the Lord. 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.899 So verses 11 to 12, 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:50.419 they say, 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:52.200 But let all who take 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.559 refuge in you rejoice. 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:55.639 Let them ever sing for joy 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.039 and spread your protection 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:57.719 over them, 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:59.219 that those who love 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.199 your name may exalt 00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:00.679 in you. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.939 For you bless the righteous, 00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:02.419 O Lord. 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:04.199 You cover him with favor 00:15:04.199 --> 00:15:06.139 as with a shield. 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:09.099 It's a wonderful image, 00:15:09.219 --> 00:15:09.339 right, 00:15:09.359 --> 00:15:10.179 the continual image 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:10.939 of the spreading 00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:11.959 of this protection 00:15:11.959 --> 00:15:12.819 over us. 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:14.540 and then that, 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.040 and then the word 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:17.040 covering us 00:15:17.040 --> 00:15:18.100 as with a shield. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.360 It's God's over us, 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:20.020 protecting us, 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.000 hovering over us 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.640 like a bird 00:15:21.640 --> 00:15:22.740 that protects its chicks. 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:24.640 And that's the, 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.320 and this is the, 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.780 and the reason 00:15:27.780 --> 00:15:28.920 why God can do that, 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.160 and this is, 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.900 this song 00:15:32.900 --> 00:15:34.320 and the list of sins here 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:34.540 of, 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.740 it is included 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.540 in Romans 3, 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:38.520 10 to 13, 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.780 where Paul says, 00:15:39.900 --> 00:15:40.580 None is righteous, 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.360 no not one. 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.519 No one understands, 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.700 no one seeks for God. 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.700 All have turned aside. 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.399 Together they have 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.060 become worthless. 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.480 And then he says, 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:49.440 Their throat is an open grave. 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.340 They use their tongues 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:50.779 to deceive. 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.560 So this is a quotation 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.440 from the psalm. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.480 And then, 00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:53.899 of course, 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.720 later he says 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.840 in the same chapter, 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:56.639 All have sinned 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.180 and fall short 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:57.919 of the glory of God 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.539 and are justified 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.560 by his grace 00:15:59.560 --> 00:16:00.300 as a gift 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.340 through the redemption 00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:02.480 that is in Christ Jesus 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.680 whom God put forward 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:04.740 as a propitiation 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:05.539 by his blood 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.720 to be received 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.519 by faith. 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.759 And so this points 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:11.139 to that ultimate reality 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:11.699 that we, 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.559 all evildoers, 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.480 all of us, 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:15.819 in fact, 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.639 have fallen 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.360 into this category 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:17.860 of people 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.399 whose mouths 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.259 are open graves 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.179 who deceive. 00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:21.679 And yet, 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.500 God's able 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.259 to spare us, 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.039 able to show us, 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.759 cover us, 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.000 with favor, 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.639 as with the shield 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.699 because Christ died 00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:29.159 for us. 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.039 Ultimately, 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:30.860 he was propitiation 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.519 for our sins 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.659 and he averted 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.559 the wrath of God. 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:36.240 And that works 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:36.919 in two ways. 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.500 It's that, 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:38.240 first, 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.779 we can take refuge 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.120 in God 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.740 without fearing 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.279 his wrath 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.980 toward us 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.919 for our sins. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.240 And then secondly, 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.480 we can take refuge 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.080 in God 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.000 in the midst 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.759 of the evil 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.639 and injustice 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.480 of this world 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.460 because we know 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.299 that because God 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.080 judged sin 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:53.259 in Christ, 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.220 the same way 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:54.919 he will ultimately 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:56.240 execute his final judgment 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.879 on all evil 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.340 and suffering 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:58.919 in this world. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.639 And that 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.399 becomes, 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.220 that constitutes 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.860 the nature 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.539 of our hope 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.740 and the nature 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:07.000 of our posture 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.960 toward the world 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.639 and toward God. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.059 And so I hope 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.859 this encourages 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:11.480 all of you, 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.420 all of us, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:12.960 to let us, 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.000 to take refuge 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.099 in the Lord 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:17.839 because of both 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.359 his love 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:20.240 and his righteousness. 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.279 With that, 00:17:23.399 --> 00:17:24.000 let's pray 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:26.579 to God. 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:28.439 and first 00:17:28.439 --> 00:17:32.419 let's sing a song 00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:32.819 to you.