Hebrews 2
Psalm 101
(References from NLT version)
There’s something that surely jumps out at you as you scan the print of Psalm 101. Namely, a repeated ‘I will…’, about 10x in fewer verses. Embarrassingly, this psalm seems to be more I-centred than God-centred.
Why embarrassingly? Well, because surely we know ourselves only too well. And… Have you long forgotten your New Year resolutions? “I will…” is often followed up in review by “but I didn’t, I haven’t…”
There’s nothing wrong with a list of good intentions. The king’s list here is okay. Even admirable. The problem is implementation.
‘I will be careful to live a blameless life’ (verse 2a)
I will lead a life of integrity in my own home (verse 2b)
How did that go for David? Did he pen this before or after he noticed Bathsheba? Maybe his best line is verse 2b: ‘when will you come to help me?’
By the end of his poem, he’s busy with his list again and sounding like a good man to testify before the Commission on State Capture.
‘My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the Lord from their grip.‘ (verse 8)
He’s certainly wanting to distance himself from the lowlife. Does he know himself?
* * * * *
Seems we have corruption, crooked dealing, conceit and pride, liars and deceit in the holy city of 10th century BC Jerusalem. The king holds himself responsible for doing something about this. That’s good. You’re talking the talk, David. What about the walk? How did it go?
This is where it gets a bit uncomfortable for us if we know ourselves.
‘I will sing of your love and justice, LORD’ (verse1)
That’s good too. But singing on Sunday isn’t where it’s at for the whole week, is it?
And since we don’t have a king, or that sort of responsibility ourselves we’d better remember to pray for Cyril and all those in authority while we’re thinking about it.