20231114

the arrogant and the humbled

Psalm 119:65-72 (JDV)

Psalm 119:65 Yahveh, you have treated your servant well, as your word promised.
Psalm 119:66 Teach me good judgment and discernment because I rely on your commands.
Psalm 119:67 Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep your word.
Psalm 119:68 You are good, and you do what is good; teach me your prescriptions.
Psalm 119:69 The arrogant have wrapped me with lies, but I obey your directions with all my heart.
Psalm 119:70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in your instruction.
Psalm 119:71 It was good for me to be humbled so that I could learn your prescriptions.
Psalm 119:72 Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands in gold and silver.

the arrogant and the humbled

The arrogant person in today’s text is described as hard and insensitive — refusing to follow God’s instruction. The psalmist counts himself as one of them at first, but then he was humbled, and now he keeps God’s word. Friend, where are you in that continuum? You may not be able to answer that question, so try this one: What kind of leader do you like to follow? Do you want a person who can help you do what is right, or do you prefer a person who can make it easy for you to do wrong? Examine your heart, my friend!