Read Verses: Psalm 139:19-24
Key Verse: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.”
This psalm is a hard one for many to understand. But it is an intensely personal prayer from David as he is lifting up his heart to God. In this prayer we see David hating with a "perfect hatred." Here is an attitude we need in prayer...we need to HATE sin. Hating sin has become politically incorrect. We have exchanged hatred for tolerance, and in so doing, we have moved far from the heart of God. Sure we have a saying, "hate the sin, love the sinner", but do we really HATE the sin. And as you read these verses, do you really have the feeling that David is just hating the sin?
Let's face it, David is hating the sinner as much as the sin. Let's look at why David is so upset. Verse 20 points out he is not concerned about what the wicked do to him but what they do to God. "They maliciously defy thee." In the Hebrew it is even clearer. Literally he is saying, "They speak of thee for wickedness," that is, "they use your name to carry out their evil designs." In effect, he says, "they take thy name in vain for evil." In other words, these are religious hypocrites, and there is nothing more disgusting than religious hypocrites. The sharpest words Jesus ever spoke were against the religious hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were using God's name for evil. Do you see what David sees? He sees wicked mean using God's name to promote wickedness. God's name is being dragged through the mud...and this really really upsets David.
Can we hate the sinner? I reckon some of us do. But David in his psalm recognizes the contempt he has for wickedness. I think he also senses that while he is fairly safe hating sin...he has not yet come to the place where he can love the sinner. He sees wickedness but is unable to come to a conclusion about what to do about it. His conclusion is "remove it" or "wipe it out". But the psalm ends with hope. I think David is aware that despite his hatred for sin, his hatred for the sinner might not be compatible with a loving God.
Here are two thoughts from a commentator on David...
“A good man hates, as God himself doth: he hates not the persons of men, but their sins; not what God made them, but what they have made themselves.” (Horne)
“We are neither to hate the men, on account of the vices they practice; nor to love the vices, for the sake of the men who practice them.” (Horne)
How does David end the psalm? With a prayer to search his heart and change it. Is he not saying, "Lord, I don't understand this problem of evil. It appears to me the easiest way is for you to eliminate the evil man. But Lord, I also know that I don't think very clearly, and I don't often have the right answer. There can easily be in me a way of grief (that is literally what 'wicked' means). I have often found, Lord, that my thoughts are not right. So, Lord, in case I don't have the right remedy for this problem, let me add this prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if there be any way of grief in me, and lead me in the truth, the way that leads to everlasting life!"
What a wonderful prayer. How often we should pray like this! "Lord, I don't understand what's going on around me, and my solutions may be quite inferior -- may even be wrong. But, Lord, I'll trust you to lead me. Uncover the wickedness that may lie undetected in my own heart, and guide me in the way that leads to fullness of life."
We ask the Lord to search our hearts and attitudes. Is Jesus still our First Love? Are we guilty of simply going through the motions of ministry? Are we putting God first in our lives? Are we committed to using the gifts God has given us? Do we love the people at church? Are we flirting with temptation? Do we lead with an attitude of humility or pride? Our transparency with God may lead to personal revival. It is well knows that the hardest sin to see is the one in yourself. We justify and explain away our own sin. Our ability to tolerate our own spiritual lack is unparalleled. What step do we need to take to get closer to God? Ask him to search you.
How long has it been since your last spiritual examination? Consider making a decision, setting a time and place, and get alone with God. With an open Bible and blank pieces of paper, ask God to search your heart and attitude. Ask him to reveal anything that is hindering your walk with him. Is there something about your life which is keeping Him from being in control. Is there some attitude of self-sufficiency which is keeping you from approaching God in humility and helplessness? Is there a relationship that needs healing. Is there a person that needs forgiving?
Heavenly Father, Search me and open my heart. Reveal my deepest fears and sin. Guide me into an open and honest relationship with you. Anything that comes between us, make me aware of it. Teach me how to get rid of it. Guide me into the likeness of your Son. I know you know what is best for me. Even when I have doubted your Word for put off what you want me to do...give me strength to fulfill your purposes in my life. Guide me into the way of the everlasting. AMEN
Key Verse: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.”
This psalm is a hard one for many to understand. But it is an intensely personal prayer from David as he is lifting up his heart to God. In this prayer we see David hating with a "perfect hatred." Here is an attitude we need in prayer...we need to HATE sin. Hating sin has become politically incorrect. We have exchanged hatred for tolerance, and in so doing, we have moved far from the heart of God. Sure we have a saying, "hate the sin, love the sinner", but do we really HATE the sin. And as you read these verses, do you really have the feeling that David is just hating the sin?
Let's face it, David is hating the sinner as much as the sin. Let's look at why David is so upset. Verse 20 points out he is not concerned about what the wicked do to him but what they do to God. "They maliciously defy thee." In the Hebrew it is even clearer. Literally he is saying, "They speak of thee for wickedness," that is, "they use your name to carry out their evil designs." In effect, he says, "they take thy name in vain for evil." In other words, these are religious hypocrites, and there is nothing more disgusting than religious hypocrites. The sharpest words Jesus ever spoke were against the religious hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were using God's name for evil. Do you see what David sees? He sees wicked mean using God's name to promote wickedness. God's name is being dragged through the mud...and this really really upsets David.
Can we hate the sinner? I reckon some of us do. But David in his psalm recognizes the contempt he has for wickedness. I think he also senses that while he is fairly safe hating sin...he has not yet come to the place where he can love the sinner. He sees wickedness but is unable to come to a conclusion about what to do about it. His conclusion is "remove it" or "wipe it out". But the psalm ends with hope. I think David is aware that despite his hatred for sin, his hatred for the sinner might not be compatible with a loving God.
Here are two thoughts from a commentator on David...
“A good man hates, as God himself doth: he hates not the persons of men, but their sins; not what God made them, but what they have made themselves.” (Horne)
“We are neither to hate the men, on account of the vices they practice; nor to love the vices, for the sake of the men who practice them.” (Horne)
How does David end the psalm? With a prayer to search his heart and change it. Is he not saying, "Lord, I don't understand this problem of evil. It appears to me the easiest way is for you to eliminate the evil man. But Lord, I also know that I don't think very clearly, and I don't often have the right answer. There can easily be in me a way of grief (that is literally what 'wicked' means). I have often found, Lord, that my thoughts are not right. So, Lord, in case I don't have the right remedy for this problem, let me add this prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if there be any way of grief in me, and lead me in the truth, the way that leads to everlasting life!"
What a wonderful prayer. How often we should pray like this! "Lord, I don't understand what's going on around me, and my solutions may be quite inferior -- may even be wrong. But, Lord, I'll trust you to lead me. Uncover the wickedness that may lie undetected in my own heart, and guide me in the way that leads to fullness of life."
We ask the Lord to search our hearts and attitudes. Is Jesus still our First Love? Are we guilty of simply going through the motions of ministry? Are we putting God first in our lives? Are we committed to using the gifts God has given us? Do we love the people at church? Are we flirting with temptation? Do we lead with an attitude of humility or pride? Our transparency with God may lead to personal revival. It is well knows that the hardest sin to see is the one in yourself. We justify and explain away our own sin. Our ability to tolerate our own spiritual lack is unparalleled. What step do we need to take to get closer to God? Ask him to search you.
How long has it been since your last spiritual examination? Consider making a decision, setting a time and place, and get alone with God. With an open Bible and blank pieces of paper, ask God to search your heart and attitude. Ask him to reveal anything that is hindering your walk with him. Is there something about your life which is keeping Him from being in control. Is there some attitude of self-sufficiency which is keeping you from approaching God in humility and helplessness? Is there a relationship that needs healing. Is there a person that needs forgiving?
Heavenly Father, Search me and open my heart. Reveal my deepest fears and sin. Guide me into an open and honest relationship with you. Anything that comes between us, make me aware of it. Teach me how to get rid of it. Guide me into the likeness of your Son. I know you know what is best for me. Even when I have doubted your Word for put off what you want me to do...give me strength to fulfill your purposes in my life. Guide me into the way of the everlasting. AMEN
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