Wineskins Contributor・04/08/19

Our Words

The Psalmist confesses Torah, God’s guidance, is bothlife-affirming (there is great reward in living a wise life) and a warning(there are dangers into which the “simple” might fall).

Indeed, the dangers are so pervasive that they are often hiddenfrom our own eyes. The human ability for self-deception and self-delusion knowsno practical limits. Most of our faults, I would guess, are “hidden” from us.We are unaware due to ignorance–ignorance both of the Torah and of our ownselves.

The danger is this self-deception can grow into anarrogance, and arrogance leads to presumptuous or defiant behavior.  Itleads to willful sin, that is, sin that rebelliously lives outside God’s story.Arrogance presumes that the story (Torah) does not apply to them, and they arethe exceptions to the rules a community shares for the sake of the common good.

Because this danger looms large in every heart, the Psalmistasks God to forgive the hidden sins and prevent them from developing into arebellious attitude. The Psalmist is committed to God’s story and wants to livewithin it. Yet, the poet knows the dangers and seeks God’s help in cleansingand self-understanding.

Yahweh is the Psalmist’s “rock and redeemer.” The fear ofYahweh is a stable place and a sure foundation upon which to build a life, andthough our own self-deception often intrudes and disrupts that life, God isalso a redeemer who forgives sin, renews life, and gives joy.

Let us offer our meditations–on creation andTorah–before the Lord, recommit ourselves to wise living in the fear of Yahweh,and humbly submit to God’s guidance.