1 Vindicate me, Lord,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
and have not faltered.
2 Test me, Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
What percentage of people who follow after God could make the claims that are made in verses 1-3 of this pslam? What makes you say that?
Would you ever ask God to put you on trial? If you did, what argument would you use to defend yourself?
Notice what the writer says in verse 3 about himself. What would it look like in your own life to be constantly aware of God's love?
4 I do not sit with the deceitful,
nor do I associate with hypocrites.
5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds.
8 Lord, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.
What does it mean to "sit with" the deceitful?
Who are the liars and hypocrites in your life? How should you interact with them?
Describe the difference between verses 4-6 and 7-8?
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 I lead a blameless life;
deliver me and be merciful to me.
12 My feet stand on level ground;
in the great congregation I will praise the Lord. NIV
In verses 9-10, what fate do "sinners" suffer as a result of their actions? Why is it wise that the writer would not want to be associated with them?
How do verses 11-12 make the claims of verses 1-3 true?
::::: EQUIPPING CHALLENGE :::::
The challenge for the next 24 hours is to live in so that verses 11-12 are true of you. What do you need to do in order to make this happen?
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