March 1, 2021 -- Psalm 5:4-8 -- Wicked rags or righteousness wrapped

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies;

the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Psalm 5:4-6 English Standard Version

There are enough people who proclaim the God of the Old Testament is angry while Jesus proclaims love. However, even a cursory reading of the New Testament will reveal statements like: “Woe to you [Pharisees]! For you are like unmarked graves, and the people walk over them without knowing it” (Luke 11:44). When Jesus pronounced “woe” He was speaking of the curse of God against the actions and attitudes of the wicked.

Who can stand up under the scrutiny with which Jesus examined the lives of the Pharisees? Who can declare his heart clear of all such sins are are described in the text today? Not one of us. This is why the Bible describes God as “God our Righteousness”. When we are confronted with the vicious words we’ve poured out against others immediately we realize this passage is cutting open our own heart and attitude. A passage like this either makes us turn away and sigh—”at least I am not like that person” or it will reveal again, with great precision, the urgent need we have for the cleansing work of Jesus.

Aware of his own great sin and the greater mercy and forgiving love of God the psalmist then declared his sure hope. Hope which for him looked forward to Christ and for us is anchored in God our Righteousness, Jesus—Whom the Spirit has revealed. This is our prayer today:

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.”

Psalm 5:7-8 ESV

https://youtu.be/UiJiDphZvbs