Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“…anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt. 5:28) • Resolution #6- “I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them.”(3) David’s de- sire for honesty and fairness in all aspects of business and agreements became the basis for the Proverbs written by his son Solomon: “Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.” (Prov. 11:3) • Resolution #7- “I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.”(4) David rejected all forms of evil during his reign. Even when two men brought him the head of Ishobosheth, the son of Saul and his enemy, he executed them for their treacherous murder and distanced himself from their evil: “’Now what reward should I give the wicked men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Should I not also demand your very lives?’ So David ordered his young men to kill them, and they did.” (2 Sam. 4:11, 12) • Resolution #8- “I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.” (5) Absalom led a rebel- lion against his father David built upon slanderous words: “’You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then people could bring their prob- lems to me, and I would give them justice!” (2 Sam. 15:3,4) The New Testament tells us: “Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander and dirty language.” (Col. 3;8) • Resolution #9- “I will not endure conceit and pride.” (5) If we first confront these hidden enemies within ourselves, it will give us the ability to recognize it in those around us. Wherever there is govern- ment of any kind, spiritual or political, conceited and proud people will naturally be attracted. A serving heart and humble spirit will eventually defeat these twin enemies. • Resolution #10- “I will keep a protective eye on the godly, so they may dwell with me in safety. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.” (6) The previous verses dealt with David’s inner life and now he turns to those who will serve in the administration of his kingdom. The qual- ities demanded here can be related to those who serve the church and kingdom of God today; “An elder must be well thought of for his good life…He must live wisely and fair…He must live a devout and dis- ciplined life.” ( Titus 1:6, 8) Like all great leaders throughout the ages, David had an outstanding team of godly leaders around him to help accomplish his life’s mission. Among them were the prophets; Nathan and Gad; among his three mightiest warriors Jashobeam and Eleazar; his Thirty greatest fight- ers: “Abishai …was the leader of the Thirty.” (1 Chron. 10:20) Hushai, his counselor who remained faith- ful during the rebellion of Absalom, and Zadok and Abiathar his loyal priests. Benaiah was the leading General of the army and the musical prophets Heman, Jeduthan and Asaph served David faithfully their entire lifetimes. • Resolution #11- “I will not allow deceivers to serve me, and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence. My daily task will be to ferret out criminals and free the city of the Lord from their grip.” (7, 8) Spurgeon writes: ‘to favor sin is to discourage virtue; undo leniency to the bad is unkindness to the good 2 .’ The duty of kings is to deal strongly with sin and unjustness of every kind. Solomon, David’s son executed his father’s last judgments upon the deceivers and liars of his kingdom. David told him: “And there is something else. You know that Joab,..murdered my two army commanders…he pretended it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace,…Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him die in peace.” (1 Kgs. 2:5, 6) Solomon had him executed in accordance with his father’s wishes. II LIARS NOT ALLOWED - 6-8 Resolutions of His Public Life

That which began with a song in the heart ends with intolerance for sin and a desire for what is right.

1 Boyce 2 Spurgeon

249