Psalm 101:1 – I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
I will praise you with songs.
2 I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
3 I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.
4 I will reject perverse ideas
and stay away from every evil.
5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride.
6 I will search for faithful people
to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
will be allowed to serve me.
7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
and liars will not stay in my presence.
8 My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the Lord from their grip. (NLT)
Praising and worshiping God is a central theme in many of the Psalms – and it is certainly the theme of this Psalm. Psalm 101 begins with the psalmist’s claim that he will sing and praise God, then he launches into a list of behaviors, things he will do and things he will not do. Now, some people would claim that this isn’t really about worship, but I disagree!
Consider what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:1 – I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (NLT) The Word of God tells us that the way to truly worship God is by the way that we live! The psalmist knew this many centuries before Paul.
Speaking through the prophet Amos, God spoke these words to the people of God during a very low point of their history: Amos 5:21 – “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (NIV) What God desired from the people was a life that reflected the character of God. God desires the same from us today.
Today, let us live out our worship. Let us praise God in word and in action.
Oh that our daily voices, thoughts and actions would reflect our Love for Jesus and each other. Especially in church and politics. The Pastors and politicians we revere would change drastically if we followed the Word. Lord forgive us for what we have done to Your World, Your Church and each other.🙏