16 But God says to the wicked:
“Why bother reciting my decrees
and pretending to obey my covenant?
17 For you refuse my discipline
and treat my words like trash.
18 When you see thieves, you approve of them,
and you spend your time with adulterers.
19 Your mouth is filled with wickedness,
and your tongue is full of lies.
20 You sit around and slander your brother—
your own mother’s son.
21 While you did all this, I remained silent,
and you thought I didn’t care.
But now I will rebuke you,
listing all my charges against you.
22 Repent, all of you who forget me,
or I will tear you apart,
and no one will help you.
23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” NLT
Compare verse 16 to verse 7 and to verse 1.
Read through verses 16-20. List all the individuals mentioned in God’s case against the wicked.
Next list the charges that are brought against each of them.
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INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN v16-20 |
CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST THEM |
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Do you identify with any of these individuals? Are you guilty of any of the charges brought against them? What makes you think this way?
How would you feel about verse 21 if you were guilty of any of the charges listed above?
Compare verse 22 with verse 3 earlier in the psalm. What does this make you think, or how does this make you feel, about God?
Now compare verse 23 with verse 14 earlier in the psalm. What does this make you think, or how does this make you feel, about God?
::::: APPLICATION CHALLENGE :::::
Take some time to reflect in prayer upon what you’ve explored in this study. Perhaps write yourself a note today to remember what you need to do over the next 24 hours as a result of this psalm.