Proper 22/Pentecost 20/Ordinary Time 27
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
Themes of justification and vindication run powerfully through this psalm. The psalmist cries out, "Vindicate me, O God, for I have walked in my integrity ..." (v. 1).
This plea is his whole purpose in writing the psalm. The psalmist wants the Lord to decide his case and declare him just. We are not told exactly what issues in the psalmist's life are in question. Apparently, some untruth has been spoken about the psalmist or perhaps about Israel in general. Regardless of the particulars, however, the psalmist seeks God's vindicating judgment in order to prove the accusation false.
The basis for the plea is the psalmist's claim that he has "walked in [his] integrity." The psalmist asserts he has been faithful to do what was expected under the Law of God. This is not a claim to moral perfection, a notion that did not even exist at the time of this writing. The abstract idea of perfection, much less moral perfection, would not appear in human consciousness until the rise of modernism.
The psalmist's claim is "blamelessness." To be blameless in the sight of the Lord means that everything the psalmist knows he should have done has been accomplished. Fulfilling all obligations to God and neighbor is the biblical definition of "righteousness."
The psalmist cries to the Lord: "prove me, try me, test my heart and mind." In Hebrew this is literally, "kidneys and heart." These organs were believed to be the seat of reason and emotion. The idea the psalmist is putting forth is that not only has he behaved properly, observing the letter of the law, but his thoughts and emotions have also followed the Lord's way. "Walked in my integrity" means the psalmist's interior motivation has been to please God, and not to pursue some other purpose.
This continues to be a struggle for people of faith. What is our motivation for appropriate behavior? Do we do the right thing out of fear? Do we observe strict behavioral standards out of fear that "the wrath of God" will fall upon us? Or do we seek some personal glory, some standing in the community? Jesus frequently criticized self-serving faithfulness as "hypocrisy."
The better way is the way of integrity -- doing the right thing for the right reason. If we walk in integrity, we can call out in confidence for God to vindicate us against false charges. However, it may be that God's vindication is not necessary. Quite often persons of integrity are vindicated by their virtue.
But even when that is not the case and false charges come, those whose actions are not driven by the need for approval -- either from God or others -- will be able to face the accusations with courage and conviction. Their walk in integrity not only leads them to do right, but also to stand strong.
-- J. E.
This plea is his whole purpose in writing the psalm. The psalmist wants the Lord to decide his case and declare him just. We are not told exactly what issues in the psalmist's life are in question. Apparently, some untruth has been spoken about the psalmist or perhaps about Israel in general. Regardless of the particulars, however, the psalmist seeks God's vindicating judgment in order to prove the accusation false.
The basis for the plea is the psalmist's claim that he has "walked in [his] integrity." The psalmist asserts he has been faithful to do what was expected under the Law of God. This is not a claim to moral perfection, a notion that did not even exist at the time of this writing. The abstract idea of perfection, much less moral perfection, would not appear in human consciousness until the rise of modernism.
The psalmist's claim is "blamelessness." To be blameless in the sight of the Lord means that everything the psalmist knows he should have done has been accomplished. Fulfilling all obligations to God and neighbor is the biblical definition of "righteousness."
The psalmist cries to the Lord: "prove me, try me, test my heart and mind." In Hebrew this is literally, "kidneys and heart." These organs were believed to be the seat of reason and emotion. The idea the psalmist is putting forth is that not only has he behaved properly, observing the letter of the law, but his thoughts and emotions have also followed the Lord's way. "Walked in my integrity" means the psalmist's interior motivation has been to please God, and not to pursue some other purpose.
This continues to be a struggle for people of faith. What is our motivation for appropriate behavior? Do we do the right thing out of fear? Do we observe strict behavioral standards out of fear that "the wrath of God" will fall upon us? Or do we seek some personal glory, some standing in the community? Jesus frequently criticized self-serving faithfulness as "hypocrisy."
The better way is the way of integrity -- doing the right thing for the right reason. If we walk in integrity, we can call out in confidence for God to vindicate us against false charges. However, it may be that God's vindication is not necessary. Quite often persons of integrity are vindicated by their virtue.
But even when that is not the case and false charges come, those whose actions are not driven by the need for approval -- either from God or others -- will be able to face the accusations with courage and conviction. Their walk in integrity not only leads them to do right, but also to stand strong.
-- J. E.
