Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;Wait ... hold on ... I mean, I was following along just fine until you got to "Remember His wonders ... and the judgments uttered by His mouth." Are you sure you want to go there? I mean that's not a pleasant thing, is it?
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
Remember His wonders which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth (Psa 105:1-5)
The psalmist thinks it is. Ranked up there with His wonders and glories, His strength and His marvels, are His judgments. That's a good thing. It's a reason to give thanks, to rejoice, to sing, to speak, to glory in His name. I would recommend we side with Him on this.
Oh give thanks to the LORD. Today would be a good time. And don't forget to thank Him for His wonders and deeds, His marvels and strength, and, yes, His judgments. While you're at it, you can ask Him for some help getting that straight in your head because I'm sure we all need a little help with that. "I believe, Lord. Help Thou my unbelief."
3 comments:
Is that judgments as in condemnations, or judgments as in discerning? While I agree that His condemnations are just as glorious as His deeds, that doesn't seem to fit the context of the rest of things to remember. What is the word that is being translated into "judgement"?
Well, that was exactly what caught my attention -- it didn't seem to fit our idea of things to thank God for.
The word is mishpat, most properly defined as a "verdict". It is used in terms of a sentence for a crime, for justice, or for a formal decree (as in "law"). Commentators say it refers to the Laws given at Sinai, to the judgments threatened to those who violate those laws, and to the judgments handed out to those who did. It refers to His promises, His commands, and His threats. It refers to His judicial decisions both for good and against the wicked.
Does that help?
That answers my question.
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