“O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles.”
Psalms 25:1-22 NLT
David’s theology is tacitly clear. He believes that God will save Israel. This is to be done, not because Israel is godly but because Israel is loved by God. David understands that righteousness is not earned but it is imputed. That is to say that righteousness is given and placed upon Israel because of God’s grace. Here we see another aspect of his theology add more nuance to that. He asks God to ransom Israel. This means that he understands that Israel is separated from God and in need of a graceful act from God to close that gap. He needs that a price will have to be paid and knows that only God can pay it. This psalm is a desperate love letter sent from death row. David longs for the freedom and providence of being indebted to his good God. As he speaks of who God is, he affirms this fact. This is not a common act in today’s self empowered climate. We often come to God as if we are free agents simply becoming infatuated with him. But this isn’t true. The gospel message includes our indebtedness and includes the price he pays to be in relationship with us. All worship should speak of this on some level. A believer doesn’t need the high theology of a post Christ church to know why Christ was and is important.
JOSH McGARY.COM 