Psalm 119:137 Part Two
Ps 119:137 Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments.
In the first half of this verse we looked at the righteousness of God. He is morally pure. His character is guiltless in all areas. He is the essence of perfection. Because of God’s absolute holiness, peace amidst circumstances that seem unfair will resonate in your soul. Your heart will remain calm with the knowledge that God is righteous.
Psalm 119:137 also says God’s judgments are upright. Literally meaning they are straight. You’ve heard the idiom “on the straight and narrow path”. It means you’re following an honest way. According to the Cambridge Dictionary it may be taken from Matthew 7:14 which says, "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” Because God’s judgments are straight, there is no deviation to His execution of right and wrong. He is not only perfectly righteous, God is also faithful in His righteousness. Hence, all His judgments are right. Again, we see God always acting within His character, without exception.
De 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.
Ps 119:137 (RSV) Righteous art thou, O LORD, and right are thy judgments.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary says this of Ps 119:137: all thy dispensations to men [are upright].
Ver. 137. -- David's great care, when he was under the afflicting hand of God, was to clear the Lord of injustice. ‘Oh! Lord, saith he, there is not the least show, spot, stain, blemish, or mixture of injustice, in all the afflictions thou hast brought upon me. I desire to take shame to myself, and to set to my seal, that the Lord is righteous, and that there is no injustice, no cruelty, nor no extremity in all that the Lord hath brought upon me.’ He sweetly and readily subscribes unto the righteousness of God in those sharp and smart afflictions that God exercised him with. "Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments." God's judgments are always just; he never afflicts but in faithfulness. His will is the rule of justice; and therefore a gracious soul dares not cavil nor question his proceedings. --Thomas Brooks.
cavil: quibble or raise trivial questions
Think again about our litmus test. God’s word. His absolute righteousness. His perfect judgment. As God’s children, convinced of His purity, we have examples to follow.
We are to show an example of righteousness towards others,
We are to be faithful to living out God’s commands,
We are to be obedient to act in a manner that represents His true character, and
We are to trust in all His ways.
“The righteousness of God, the infinite rectitude and perfection of his nature. As he is what he is, so he is what he should be, and in everything acts as becomes him; there is nothing wanting, nothing amiss, in God; his will is the eternal rule of equity, and he is righteous, for he does all according to it.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
The truths we’ve considered in Psalm 119:137
Lead us to conviction of our own sin because God is always right.
Lead us to obedience. Why would we not follow what we know is right?
Lead us to trust in His ways and His timing because God’s plans are perfect even if I can’t see or understand them.
Lead us to adoration of God because He is 100% right in all His ways. How could we not worship Him?
Lead us to look to His promises with faith that He will return and restore His kingdom because He says so, therefore it’s true!
Lead us to focus on the hope we have for our future because in Christ it is certain, it is glorious, it is what we look forward to, and it is why we have been created.
Apply these truths to your life and circumstances right now. How are you encouraged to think or act differently because of these truths?
For example, look at the first bullet point again. It says, the truths we’ve considered lead us to conviction of our own sin because God is always right.
Consider. Standing before a righteous God, understanding more completely what that means, causes my sin to be more evident. It is so easy to ignore or accept what we might regard as the ‘small’ errors in our lives. It is always less difficult to look at the sin of others around me and to look at what they should or should not be doing or saying. I may even assume to know their motives and then judge them on my [usually wrong] thinking. However, if I place myself at the feet of the One who is Holiness Himself, I am quickly stripped of my own delusion about who I am and forced to remember the incredible need I have for a Savior. In fact, thinking upon God’s perfect righteousness and judgment, causes a certain holy fear of Him that leads to a want of obedience. I am God’s child but I am not free from the presence or temptation of sin. Because God must act according to His character, I can expect my sin to be dealt with. I can count on suffering the consequences of sin. Remember what Psalm 119:137 says: Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments. When I begin to fully realize Jesus’ voluntary, suffering death for me, I am caused to recognize the necessity of my complete obedience to Him and thus address the sin that continues to reside in my heart.
Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, gives us these beautifully written words. “The sinful courses of God's children occasion bitterness enough; they never venture upon sin, but with great Joss. [Joss: a graven image or idol. Perhaps referring to how easy it is for someone or something to become our motivation rather than God] If Paul give way to a little pride, God will humble him. If any give way to sin, their pilgrimage will be made uncomfortable. Eli falls into negligence and indulgence, then is the ark of God taken, his two sons are slain in battle, his daughter-in-law dies, he himself breaks his neck. Oh! The wonderful tragedies that sin works in the houses of the children of God! David, when he intermeddled with forbidden fruit, was driven from his palace, his concubines defiled, his own son slain; a great many calamities did light upon him. Therefore the children of God have cause to fear; for the Lord is a just God, and they will find it so. Here upon earth he hath reserved liberty to visit their iniquity with rods, and their transgression with scourges. I must press you to imitate God's righteousness: "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him".
Mt 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Ro 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jas 1:4 And let endurance have [its] perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
There is a standard set for us on this earth. Just because we know we cannot attain perfection here amongst a sinful world, does not take away the responsibility we have to continue to reach for it.
Complacency over even the smallest sin should drive us to concern and lead us to immediate action. We give up because the fight is hard and it is continuous. I’ve said and thought the words, “When I get to heaven, then I won’t struggle with _____________” (fill in the blank). While this is absolutely true, and a really comforting thought, I am in no way excused for the sin in my life while on this earth. It is a big deal! Jesus died for me. I cannot take that truth lightly. We need to continuously be reaching for the goal.
Read this verse most of us are probably familiar with.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
God’s word is living and active! It does change lives! We can be victorious over the temptation of sin. I love the illustration presented in Jeremiah about God’s word.
Jer 23:29 "Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
The picture that comes to mind is one of seeking gold deeply imbedded in quartz. My husband and I have purposefully collected both large and small pieces of rock. Then, either out in the field or at home, we begin the process of smashing these pieces of quartz with a strong hammer to get to the tiny bits of gold scattered throughout. This is what God’s word does. It shatters sin. It refines us just like fire, melting away that which is not good and exposing what is beautiful.
Consider again how God would have you personally apply the truths in Psalm 119:137: Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments. Ask yourself this question. I’ve shared some of my heart in hopes that you will be encouraged to do your own soul searching.
- My life in general is affected because I am much more apt to look at my own responsibility toward sin. There is so much work to be done in myself, that I don’t really have the time nor should I take the time to be concerned for what others are doing or not doing. This is a weight lifted off my shoulders! Remembering it is God’s work is refreshing!
- My personal circumstances are affected because my focus remains on God and His righteousness. The circumstances in my life are exactly what He is allowing in order to cause me to become the child He has designed me to be. This truth affords Peace! In all things. I can move through whatever God has given me, knowing it is in His perfect plan.
My actions are affected when God’s truths are applied to my life.
- Concentrating on the areas of my own life that need attention certainly reminds me to be gracious and patient towards those around me as I am reminded we all have the same need of God’s saving grace. Thinking upon what He has done for me even while I don’t deserve any of it is humbling. This is good! A heart of humility is soft and moldable.
- When my thoughts are centered on Christ and my heart is teachable and flooded with Who He is and What He has done for me, I cannot help but radiate His love in all things. I am drawn towards seeing the hope even in what seems truly difficult. I look forward to the promise that I can trust that God is working. This produces joy in my heart even amidst hardship or uncertainty or sorrow.
- I don’t have to understand everything! I am not expected, nor am I able, to have an answer for everything! This is a great revelation and one that truly lifts a burden I can place on myself. Because God is always right, I can look at what He says, accept what He is doing, and not forfeit my time and energy to that which is not my responsibility. Each day is a gift given to me by Him that is filled with exciting possibility for honoring Him as my Father. How much fun is that?! I don’t have to live in discouragement because of my sin, it has been covered! I don’t have to be worried or anxious for circumstances now or in the future, He has it covered! I can glory in the true fact that God is righteous in all things. And He has called me His child!
- Lastly, but perhaps most important, I truly fear sin. I don’t want to be caught up in sin. I am cautious to not allow sin to be harbored in my heart. I take measure against being fooled by sin’s craftiness. This causes me to desire to engulf myself in Truth. I need God’s word to direct me because I am weak.
God is righteous in His very character which means all judgment from Him is absolutely equitable. And He is always faithful to execute His judgment.
“Jehovah both saith and doth that which is right, and that alone. This is a great stay to the soul in time of trouble. When we are most sorely afflicted, and cannot see the reason for the dispensation, we may fall back upon this most sure and certain fact, that God is righteous, and his dealings with us are righteous too. It should be our glory to sing this brave confession when all things around us appear to suggest the contrary. This is the richest adoration -- this which rises from the lips of faith when carnal reason mutters about undue severity, and the like.” Treasury of David
Please. Listen with your ears and your heart to the truths God is showing you through His word. Take the time to God’s truths to your life. The Bible is not just a book to read and feel good about. God’s word is not meant to be an intellectual exercise. It is a book that is living and it will change you through the work of the Holy Spirit. Dig in and watch the transformation as God guides you into a deeper relationship with Him. After all, He loves you enough to have sent Jesus.
1Jo 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
Joh 17:3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
