Getting A Facelift, Not a Face Full (Psalm 119:22-24)

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The following post is a reflection on Psalm 119:22-24, which reads,

Take away from me scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your testimonies.

Even though princes sit plotting against me,

    your servant will meditate on your statutes.

Your testimonies are my delight;

    they are my counselors. (ESV)

Since the psalms were the prayer vocabulary of Israel, this is a prayer that Jesus would have likely prayed, for he was faced with scorn and contempt on multiple occasions.

Have you noticed the faces of those who show scorn and contempt for others? They become ugly and distorted in the process of verbally vomiting their inner brokenness in an attempt to break others. 

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And frequently, when a person receives scorn and contempt, their own face falls into frowns of sadness, grimaces of pain, and may even become twisted in anger. How can we have a facelift in such circumstances? Remember Psalm 3:3-4,

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.

I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. 

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God is the one who lifts our head and our face in answer to our prayer. In Psalm 119, verse 22 is likely a lament—a prayer request—asking that God would turn away the scorn and contempt being directed at the psalmist. This request is made in the context of his recognition that he was merely sojourning here on earth; he was not home yet (v. 19). This is God’s world, and as sojourners, we need to follow his testimonies. 

In his commentary on Psalm 119, Michael Wilcock wrote,

God’s people have always needed to be reminded of this. Every day we walk familiar roads; This is our hometown, our home country, we say. Yes and no, says God. This is my world, and you are here as garîm, expatriates. ‘The land is mine, and you are but aliens and my tenants.’ [Lev. 25:23] That means you observe the laws and manners of your host country. We begin to see why the psalmist, a stranger on earth, cries, Do not hide your commands from me. He needs God's handbook for the duration of his residence in God's world.

What creates problems for him, and underlines his need of such a handbook, is the fact that though this really is God's world, there are plenty of people in it who do not behave as if it were (vv. 21-22). On all sides he sees the arrogant and the accursed, and their scorn and contempt for God's principles. He is bound to be affected, and fears being infected, by all this. He does not have to be abroad for rulers to slander him…[1]

I especially love his line about how we are to “observe the laws and manners of your host country.” While it is wise for us to do this at the human and international levels, few realize that this world doesn’t belong to independent people or even to nations; it belongs to the Lord God Almighty. Thankfully, the Lord and Creator is also our loving Heavenly Father!

However, it is also possible that this prayer could be more reflective than that. One of the dangers of law-keeping is that of judgmentalism directed towards those less spiritually mature. Do we need to ask God to take away the scorn and contempt that can rise in our hearts for those whom we consider offensively “other”? It is one thing to disagree with someone, but it is another to demonize and denounce them. Our 21^st-century culture is highly charged, so every spoken reaction, every written statement, every posted opinion, may either attract or repel in an amplified way.

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I know that when I look at the behavior of those who hate God and his word, and hear the vain ideas that they would want to enforce upon others, it is not hard to turn their scorn and contempt back on their own heads with an ample dose of laughter. However, that is not likely to win them over to the truth. Jesus said we would be mocked, just as he was. He also challenged his followers not to show scorn and contempt for others.[2] This can be very difficult. We are culturally conditioned to retaliate at some point. However, the psalmist shows us that there is a way that we can limit the risk of our slipping into a scornful, contemptuous attitude. 

Did you notice? Psalm 119 is the longest in the Bible, and nearly every verse points us to the answer we need. In the three verses at the center of this post, we see the psalmist engaging God’s Word in obedience, diligent thought, and heartfelt delight.

v. 22b …for I have kept your testimonies.

v.23b …your servant will meditate on your statutes.

v.24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

It is when we keep, meditate, and delight in the Word of God that we see the personality of God revealed, and it changes us for the better. It is not so much learning the words on the page as it is meeting the one who waits on the other side of the page, for they all speak of Jesus Christ (e.g., Luke 24:27; Acts 28:23; Romans 3:21-26). 

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Is there another testimony that I have committed myself to follow? Are there other ideas, values, and mission statements on which we focus our deepest thoughts? Have we allowed something, or someone, else to become our closest confidants, the ones who help to direct our lives, other than God’s Word? If so, then let this psalm be the light that patiently and persistently sets you back on the path.

Jesus can identify with us in our pain, for he endured terribly scornful mocking at the hands of Romans and Jews alike. He knew that his followers would also face the same treatment. In John 15:19-20, Jesus made this very clear to his followers.

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

Not only should we not be surprised when we are on the receiving end of hateful and false speech, but Jesus also reminds us that, far from being a soul-crushing defeat, such undeserved treatment is, in fact, a spiritual blessing!

“Blessed are you when others revile you

                                  and persecute you

      and utter all kinds of evil against you

                                              falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad,

          for your reward is great in heaven,

                       for so they persecuted

         the prophets who were before you.” (Matt. 5:11-12)

Peter, who once thought of taking up a sword to defend the Lord against scorn and unjust arrest, finally came to understand the Lord’s way and wrote,

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)

The one who meditates and delights in God’s testimonies will embody the qualities of verse 8 and receive the blessing of verse 9.

Let his words be our counselors! They do a better job than Botox!

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[1] Wilcock, Michael, The Message of the Psalms, 199.

[2] In Matthew 5:22-23, Jesus forbids his followers from even calling others derogatory names out of anger. Paul wrote in Eph. 4:29-32, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Psalm 65: Evening Shouts of Joy

Psalm 65 is a psalm of praise for God’s presence and his hearing and answering our prayers. It speaks of being “satisfied with the goodness of [the Lord’s] house” (v.4) and of how God answers us,

“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
    O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas…”

How wonderful that the Lord God is the hope of all the earth!

The rest of this psalm illustrates Yahweh’s overflowing goodness and beautifying work in the world as seen through his creation.

Photo Credit: Greg K Dueker

He stills the roaring of the seas and the tumult of the peoples (v.7)

He provided an abundant harvest in its season. In Israel, this was primarily seen in God's providential care for his people, providing rain that led to an abundant harvest. Yes, rain is a good thing! Where I live in western Oregon, when it rains, it is usually gentle and not damaging. However, it can "gently" rain on a lot of days each year!

Because of my affinity for shooting and posting photos of sunsets (using the tags: #keeplookingup, #rooftophorizons, #roadsidehorizons) and sunrises, my approach cannot help but be drawn to v. 8b, which says, “You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy." 

What a way to describe the sunrise or the sunset as a "shout of joy!" Also, it's not a bad way for us to start and end our days! One thing about sunsets that brings helpful perspective is that the most beautiful sunsets do not happen in clear skies. Clouds are generally needed for there to be good color.

Here are a few “shouts” I have accumulated…

Photo Credit: Greg K Dueker

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Greg K Dueker

Photo Credit: Greg K Dueker

Photo Credit: Greg K Dueker

Photo Credit: Greg K Dueker

Photo Credit: Greg K Dueker

May your days be filled with an awareness of God's abundant goodness as seen in nature and in the Word!

Psalm 64: Freedom from our Foe's Fetters of Fear and Foolishness

My tongue-twister of a title for this lament attempts to capture how the psalmist prays for God’s help in the face of fear and foolishness.

Facing Fear (v.1)

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The psalmist prays to the Lord, “preserve my life from dread of the enemy.”

We might join him and pray for protection from the enemy, but do we pray for protection from the fear of the enemy? It might be a good idea. Our world is increasingly motivated by fear and anxiety, and as the old song says, “fear is a liar!” If we are moved by our fear or dread of the enemy, we are not standing in faith and love. I find that the more I consume news and social media accounts, the less faith-motivated I am. Not only that, but I am less likely to act in love and kindness towards those I face today.

The trick is for us not to be controlled by fear. The Bible tells us to “fear not,” “do not fear,” or “do not be afraid” more than 100 times! One of the most famous was God’s charge to Joshua,

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)

Or Paul’s oft-quoted charge to the Philippians,

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:4-7)

What do these two passages about not being afraid or anxious have in common? It is not our strength of giftedness, nor is it our ability to have all the right answers. The key is remembering that the Lord is with us! How can we keep from forgetting that important fact? By reading and thinking about his word (the Bible) and talking with him about everything, we will not forget that he is with us and greater than all our problems. I confess that I am not always gentle in my speech, nor am I always free from anxiety, but I have noticed that both are impacted by my awareness that Christ is present with me.

Facing Foolishness (v.2-6)

They hold fast to their evil purpose;
    they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see them?”
    They search out injustice,
saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”
    For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. 

Their wickedly hateful words are the expression of violent thoughts, the manifestation of their secret plotting for our demise, their declaration of their atheism (that he doesn't exist to oppose them). The imagery used is vivid—they “whet their tongues like swords,” just as steel weapons are sharpened on a stone for battle. These verses are not describing particularly witty humor or friendly banter. Rather, it is speech intended to slander, snare, and slay its target. In Proverbs 12:18, Solomon writes, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Such speech can cause real damage on every level.

Will we fight our enemies on their terms? Or will we pick good ground and sound tactics? When verbally ambushed, whether with slander or threats, the enemy of the righteous wants us to either run in fear or fight (a losing battle) according to the flesh.

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There is a warning here for those who think they can plan in secret and act with impunity. We fool ourselves when we think that God doesn't see our sinful plans and that judgment won't come. I know that those most in danger of God’s judgment are often the most oblivious to it. They think they will not be held accountable for their wickedly violent words and actions and are thus emboldened. Silence in the moment is no proof of secrecy. God judges justly and surely, though in his mercy it may not be immediate. Yet, it will happen suddenly.

Finally comes “suddenly” (v.7-9)

But God shoots his arrow at them;
    they are wounded suddenly.
They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;
    all who see them will wag their heads.
Then all mankind fears;
    they tell what God has brought about
    and ponder what he has done.

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Their very devices will be turned against them when God acts suddenly. They are caught by their own words, trapped by their own tricks. This is a consistent theme in Psalms and Proverbs. For example...

Behold, the wicked man conceives evil
    and is pregnant with mischief
    and gives birth to lies.
He makes a pit, digging it out,
    and falls into the hole that he has made.
His mischief returns upon his own head,
    and on his own skull his violence descends. (Psalm 7:14-16)

And Psalm 57:6,

They set a net for my steps;
    my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
    but they have fallen into it themselves. 

And Proverbs 26:27,

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

When suddenly the enemy is caught in his own words, when they fall into their own pit, when they are brought to ruin, do we fear (show great reverence and awe) the Lord? I hope so! We do not celebrate their des

Further, let this truth instruct our mouths so that our tongues do not cause harm to others nor ensnare us. We all need to make sure that we come to Christ before he comes for us!

Faith’s Freedom from Fetters (v.10)

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When we put our faith in God, we are set free from our besetting fears so that we can worship him. We learn that we can rejoice in the Lord always!

Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!

While fear and foolishness both serve to bind and ensnare us, faith sets us free to celebrate his righteous works! In humble submission to Jesus, we are empowered to resist the enemy, and he will flee (James 4:7)!