We all like to hear someone say “thank you” to us when we’ve done them a kindness. And we all certainly like to hear “I love you” from others. However, sometimes we can tell that those words were not spoken sincerely. We can hear in the tone that the person was prompted to say it, or perhaps they were saying it because they were looking to get something from us or gain some favors. That can hurt our feelings, and make us feel sad, or even angry. We like acts of gratitude and words of love to be true and sincere. The same is true with the Lord, as we see in our psalm for today.
As we take a quick look at our psalm, we see a majestic portrait of God given, as He calls the earth to hear His Words (vs. 1-4). His glory shines forth with majesty, and flames of fire surround Him. This is not some petty bureaucrat, rather the One who is calling us is Yahweh, the Creator and Lord of the whole universe. He calls us all to a divine courtroom.
Most of us have seen a courtroom drama on TV or in the movies, and some of us may have had to testify in court. The Lord calls to all in heaven, the heavenly angelic beings, and all on earth who have made a covenant with Him to appear in court (vs 4- 5). We are the defendants, and the Lord God is both the prosecuting attorney and the judge. Though we may sometimes run across a corrupt, prejudiced, or otherwise unfair judge, or a lying, dishonest prosecutor here on earth, we can be sure that God is righteous (vs. 6).
So what is it that the Lord testified against His people? He did not rebuke them for failing in bringing sacrifices to the Temple, as they did perform that. God did not need the bulls, goats, or other cattle that were brought for sacrifice, as all creation belongs to Him (vs. 8-13). The same is true today. God does not need anything. He does not need our money. He does not get hungry and needs us to sacrifice an animal for Him to eat (vs. 12-13).
So what does the Lord want from us? God had required animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, so why would He be angry with the people when they were bringing these offerings? It had to do with their heart attitude. Were they begrudgingly bringing their sacrifices? They may have come to the Temple and said all the right words, they may have mouthed the “thank you”, the “love you”, the “I’m sorry”, but they didn’t truly mean it. We do not appreciate it when people may speak similar words in a cavalier and insincere way, and neither does the Lord.
Just as we don’t like it when someone makes us a promise, and we find that those were insincere, meaningless words, neither does the Lord. In this divine courtroom setting, Yahweh not only tells us that He wants our sincere thanksgiving, but also He wants us to pay the vows, fulfill the promises we have made to Him (vs. 14). When we do we can call upon Him, and He will deliver us from our troubles.
The Lord continues on in our psalm and brings some rather strong condemnation for the wicked. He chastises them, saying they have no right to be quoting His Words, when they won’t even obey those Words (vs. 16-17). One moment they are quoting the Bible, and the next moment they are all chummy with thieves and adulterers, sinful and unscrupulous people. They speak lies and slander, and will say that God doesn’t mind, He approves of everyone, regardless of their behavior (vs. 19-21). However, that is not the case. One day they will find out that God will rebuke them and tear them in pieces. There will be no one for them to turn to at that time (vs. 21-22).
In closing God instructs us that He wants sincere and heartfelt, meaningful words. He wants our words of praise, and for our behavior to match the words of praise that we bring (vs. 23). When we come to the Lord in worship, let’s be sure that our words are sincere and honest, and that our offerings to Him are given with genuine love and thanksgiving in our hearts.
