Psalm 15
For the first time in many days we don’t have David or any other psalmist crying out about his enemies or asking God for His deliverance. Today’s psalm is about “the righteous” (though they are not exactly named as such). I like to consider myself as among “the righteous”, along with the rest of us RTB’ers and all those with whom we’ll worship at church together this morning. But then as I do that, I look at the standards asked of those who are actively seeking God – verses 2 through 5. And I see myself falling short, especially a long-known difficulty in my heart of being overly judgmental. Somehow I weave that into “slander” or “reproach” (think, gossip…) from verse 3. And I was touched by Jim’s “confession” yesterday of being “stupid” or even “evil”. We know that we all fall short: “There is none who does good, not even one” from yesterday’s psalm.
Then I look further and evaluate myself on other aspects of today’s psalm, asking myself if I am moving toward those things that David considers good. My eternally optimistic self seems to always find sunshine peeking through clouds of gloom. But each of us should also look to where we are growing in those things “good”, confessing our shortcomings and looking beyond our faults to the One who forgives us and knows that we fall short. Later we will read in Job 19:25, “I know that my Redeemer lives…” – not only that He lives, but that He also loves me/you/us, eternally. Hold that thought…!
I always have a problem thinking of myself among the righteous. The first is of course, the standard which is God, not man. So here am I, a sinner, even evil in some thoughts and actions. The second is the source of righteousness, which is Jesus, not my actions. Thank you, Lord! And this brings me to greater and greater humility, not pride.
I was drawn to this statement by the psalmist. At first glance it seems to condemn modern banking practices as being unrighteous (and it was so thought in the Middle Ages in Christendom). But I think there may be a more meaningful explanation. I think the psalmist may be saying that giving a gift for the purpose of gaining some benefit is not especially righteous. For example, giving a gift to a charitable organization with the proviso that a building is named after the donor. Nice, but no credit toward righteousness!
I was struck by the emphasis in Psalm 15 on what we say:
“The one … who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others, … who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind…”
Other phrases, such as “does what is righteous” and “does not accept a bribe against the innocent” can also refer to what we say, not just what we do.
Our words can wreak so much destruction in others’ lives! But in contrast, what a blessing we can be when our words are uplifting and caring. I aim to become much more like that!
In the words of a song by Chris Rice:
I want to be someone who runs into the darkness with the light of Christ.
Amen, Carol!