Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:21

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)

Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 21: Provides Judgment

You rebuke the proud—the cursed, who stray from Your commandments. Psalm 119:21

Rebuke: to chide

Proud: arrogant, presumptuous

Cursed: execrate

Stray:  go astray morally

Commandments: ordinance, precept

The sense is, “I propose and intend to keep thy law. As a motive to this, I look at the consequences which must follow from disobeying it. I see it everywhere in the divine treatment of those who do disregard that law. They are subject to the displeasure - the solemn rebuke - of God. So all must be who disregard his law; and it is my purpose not to be found among their number.” (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible)

Consequences. There are consequences for disobedience. And those consequences are not hidden—rather there are many examples throughout Scripture. Knowing that God does judge, should provide the motivation to obey Him. 

God's Word provides judgment and make is clear as to what is right and wrong. God's Word doesn't change to fit our circumstances and wishes. Rather God's Word remains steadfast and unchangeable — just as God does. 

Proverbs 8:12-14: Super Hero Wisdom!

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. Proverbs 8:12-14

Dwell: abide with

Prudence: discretion

Possess: find out thoroughly; solve riddle

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Discretion: power of devising, discretion

Fear: reverence

Lord: deity, Yahweh

Hate: enemy, foe, repulsive

Evil: ethical wretchedness

Pride: highly exalt

Arrogance: swelling, haughtiness

Behavior: of moral action and character

Counsel: advice, advisement, purpose

Sound judgment: efficient wisdom, abiding success

Insight: understanding, knowledge, meaning—perfectly

Power: might, valour, of warriors, force, mastery

Super Hero Wisdom! 

As I read Proverbs 8:12-14, a Super Hero image came to mind. One with the strength and power to defeat the wickedness. Super Hero Wisdom has the power! 

Super Hero Wisdom is repulsed by evil and has the power to keep others from evil. But Super Hero Wisdom doesn't just have random power—she also has knowledge and advise that guides the power specifically to meet the need. Super Hero Wisdom cannot be separated from her power—she IS knowledge, discernment, and understanding. And because her super power is based on the Fear of the Lord—there is an unending supply of that knowledge and power. Her source is the Eternal Almighty God. 

Super Hero Wisdom—that is someone who I want to know and be along side of me as I face the evil in this world. And when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then Super Hero Wisdom is on duty!

Proverbs 1:11-14: Companionship

If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 1et us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; we shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse”— Proverbs 1:11-14

with us: companionship, together with

lie in wait: actually, ambush. 

shed blood: blood in quantity, hence sometimes of blood shed by rude violence, and of blood-stains

Lurk: hidden

innocent: free from guilt, clean,

swallow: engulf, of violence, extortion

Sheol: underworld (place to which people descend at death)

whole: sound healthful

Pit: pit of the grave

Find: secure prey, booty, plunder

Precious: costly

Possessions: wealth

Spoil: plunder

Cast: share with us

Lot: cast thy fortune into the midst of us, in with us

One: combine 

Purse: money

"Let us kill anyone in our way, and steal anything we want. We will then share all that we steal." Sounds much like a description of what is happening across our Nation. No regard for human life. No regard for laws. No respect. Pure lawlessness. 

It's vital that we know who we have a companionship with BEFORE they entice us into sin. In many relationships we see the "end result" of the PRIZE—money, riches, fame, etc—and that clouds our judgment. We ignore how the "Prize" was obtained. That end result skews our judgment and make us disregard our morals. 

"If they say"—in order to hear them, I must be in their company. And that is a bad location! Psalm 1:1: 

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful."

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), I will not feel comfortable in the companionship of sinners, much less want to hear them as they work to entice me to follow in their sinful ways. 

Proverbs 1:3: Seizing the Full Truth!

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; Proverbs 1:3 (NKJV)

The main verb in Proverbs 1:3 is RECEIVE. 

Receive: seize, take

What is to be seized? 

• Instruction: discipline, chastening, correction
• Wisdom: have insight, comprehension
• Justice: righteousness, as ethically right
• Judgment: matters of justice, standard
• Equity: evenness, uprightness; in ethical sense, uprightness, equity, as taught in the school of wisdom

When I think of the word seize, I think of grab onto with strength, not wanting to let go. As I read the list of what I am to seize, I had to stop at the first one, "Instruction". The order of these words is important as they build upon each other.

The meaning of instruction isn't just hearing or reading and manual. No, this word has the meaning of being disciplined and corrected. I am to seize being disciplined? Yes, when I am confronted with my sin, then I can confess my sins and then have a closer relationship with God Almighty. 

Once I am willing to accept and seize Instruction (discipline), then my heart can be ready to seize Wisdom. Comprehension of Truth. 

As I comprehend the Truth, I'll righteousness—ethically right actions will begin to follow. Then I'll have a clear understanding and be ready to seize judgment—God's standard. Then the uprightness in the ethical sense will be grasped. 

It all begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For once I have a reverence for God, I'll be willing to accept His discipline and make headway on seizing the full Truth!