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The upright, those with integrity, will understand righteousness and justice, will have wisdom and knowledge, will walk in the ways of good men, and will be securely planted.
The wicked, those who speak perversely, will walk in darkness, enjoy evil things, be crooked and wayward, will fall victim to a seductress, and will be uprooted.
The psalm records all the marvels God did for Israel, including the conquest of Canaan. The point was to create a people who would walk in His ways. Unlike modern Zionism!
At Greenbelt I heard of Meister Eckhart, mediaeval mystic, who said a rock praises God by obeying its call to fall or to rest. Eric Liddel the champion athlete in ‘Chariots of Fire’ said “It pleasures God to see me run.
A special thing in this psalm is the first creatures to praise God are giant squids (sea monsters). What does that do for purview of our place in the world?
Putin’s failed invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is an example of the wicked failing. But it’s an ongoing process. What does stay is what the psalmist says at the end: It is good for me to draw near to God
The last two verses sums it up.
Search me, O God, and know my heart….
And lead me in the way everlasting.My refuge and fortress, the God in whom I trust.
The psalm is realistic about dangers we may face, and clear about the attitude of faith that we can have.
Psalm 103 has it all! Confession, trust and praise. The verse(s) I choose today is:
Bless the Lord, O my soul …
Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy …My key verse for psalm 86 is from an older translation:
Let me walk in thy truth,
Unite my heart to fear thy name.Choose life!
What a great motto.
But is it conditional on obeying all the 613 rules laid down?
The chapter also says ‘the word is very near you, in your heart etc. So it’s simple but difficult. Love God and neighbour. I.e. put God and others first.
Whether or not it results in wealth and prosperity, it will result in peace.
