Psalm 111:7

Psalm 111:7

Faithful and just

We have commented before on the characteristics of the Lord that are described in couplets such as, “righteousness and justice” and “love and faithfulness.” Here is another one, in describing the works of God’s hands the psalmist uses the expression, “faithful and just.” These are more than just handy adjectives to bulk out a line of a song, these are actual words of truth that are deliberately used to explain the creative works of our God. 

When we look at creation, faithfulness is stamped all over it. As we saw in verse 4, throughout the lifespan of this earth, God will continue to provide seasons, there will be a time to sow and a time to harvest, the monthly changes in seasonal temperatures will continue, and the planet has been programmed, along with the sun and the moon, to provide us all with day and night on a 24-hour basis. This amazing verse of an anonymous song, penned by an anonymous writer is actually embracing the whole of the daily and annual pattern of life on earth, and its efficiency and reliability is being credited to the great Creator who brought it into being. His works are faithful, His hands have created a world with resources that are available to all peoples and there has always been enough to go round. Hallelujah!

We will come, soon, to the vast encyclopaedia of wisdom that is Psalm 119, and there I’m sure we will learn about statutes, ordinances, commands and precepts and the differences between them! As I understand it, a precept is instruction from God that is presented as a proverb, and it is meant to teach us about our behaviour as human beings. It is, therefore, a good thing to hear from the Lord in this way and to take on board what He is telling us. Whilst this psalm does not offer us any precepts, it is reminding us that anything of this nature that comes from heaven can be trusted. Time to read the Book of Proverbs then? 

 

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