Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Passing judgement

Judgement is the keyword of the day, at least according to Psalms 9, but it doesn't stand alone. That's right, righteousness is tied in. I find the first verses particularly interesting. We have this gut reaction when we hear the word judgement but the speaker creates a different image:

i will praise you, o lord, with my whole heart; i will tell of all your marvelous works. i will be glad and rejoice in you; i will sing praise to your name, o most high. when my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish in your presence. for you have maintained my right and my cause; you sat on the throne of judging in righteousness. ps 9:1-4

It seems that the ownership of righteousness has the characteristic ability of judgement. But looking at righteousness in context to judgement - it's righteousness as painted by David - righteousness defined as goodness, and the goodness defined as otherness. David calls God righteous because he firsthand knows the righteousness/goodness/otherness of God. When he comes into God's presence, his enemies fall away; he calls on God and God answers....again going back to this original idea of the constant calling. A habit has been created.

David speaks about the judgement regularly, and he speaks about it comfortably. Because David calls his own righteousness God's righteousness, he knows he will be judged according to the righteousness given him.

Lots of food for thought.

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