Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

In the New Testament time of grace we have an even greater light, the Word who became man to show us the full meaning of God’s commands. “Jesus said to the people, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (Jn. 8:12) It is not merely a ‘principle’ that guides our lives, but the ‘person’ Jesus Christ.

“Rescue me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments.” (134)

In the previous verse evil was attempting to overcome the psalmist from within. In this verse, it is evil people who are attempting to oppress him from without. Both have the same damaging effect upon the soul; both are overcome by the power of God’s word.

“Look down on me with love; teach me all your principles.” (135)

In this ‘Pe’ section of the poem the writer has seen the “wonder” of God’s decrees; experienced the illuminating effect of being “taught” his word; has “panted” with thirst to understand his laws and re- ceived “guidance” from them. Now he asks for the full measure of God’s love to be given to him; the teaching of all his commands. This prayer can only be fully realized by the coming of the Holy Spirit to the believer in the New Testament: “But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16)

“Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your law.” (136)

Here the intercessory heart like the prophet Jeremiah is expressed; he weeps for the fallen condi- tion of God’s people: “Streams of tears flow from my eyes because of the destruction of my people!” (Lam. 3:48) “O that my eyes were a fountain of tears; I would weep forever!” (Jer. 9:1) When Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” One of the answers was that Jesus was “Jeremiah or one of the other prophets”(Mt. 16:13, 14) because like Jeremiah, he would weep tears in broken-hearted prayer for the nation.

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“O Lord, you are righteous, and your decisions are fair.” (137)

One of the main purposes of the law is to show each of us our sinfulness and our need for Christ and his salvation: “Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgment before God.” (Rom. 3:19) Al- though it reveals the absolute perfection and righteousness of God, it also points to his kindness and mercy: “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant. (Rom. 5:20)

“Your decrees are perfect; they are entirely worthy of our trust.” (138)

The law of God is complete, entire, without blemish and full of integrity but only through Christ can its perfection be fulfilled. Paul shows how the purity of the law leads us to this conclusion: “I felt fine when I did not understand what the law demanded. But when I learned the truth, I realized I had broken the law and was a sinner, doomed to die. So the good law, which was supposed to show me the way of life, instead gave me the death penalty. Sin took advantage of the law and fooled me; it took the good law and used it to make me guilty of death. But still, the law itself is holy and right and good.”(Rom. 7:9-12) We do not have to try to fulfill every command of God to please him; that has already been accom- plished through Christ. We are commanded to walk in daily obedience to the Holy Spirit’s guidance through his word and his grace.

“I am overwhelmed with rage, for my enemies have disregarded your words.” (139)

Jesus was moved by righteous anger when he saw people violating the commands of his Father in the Temple at Jerusalem: “Jesus made a whip form some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple.

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