Jesus Creed

Jesus Creed

Call’s Commitment

posted by xscot mcknight | 2:10am Monday March 5, 2007

The qof section of Psalm 119, vv. 145-152, explores the psalmist’s call to God. The psalmist, once again in a condition of being hunted down like an animal (v. 150), cries out to God. And along with his cry is a corollary.
The psalmist cries to God — and he asks God to answer him (145) and to save him (146). These two verses are parallels to one another.
Along with this cry to God to hear his prayer (of deliverance) and to save him (from his enemies no doubt), he makes a commitment: “I will keep your statutes” (145) and “that I may observe your decrees” (146).
I don’t think it would be right to see this simply as a bargain with God, though I should not think it inappropriate for the psalmist, but more of an opportunity: he wants deliverance so he can obey God longer. I doubt it is simply that he wants deliverance and, if God delivers him, he’ll be obedient.
No one who has worked through this psalms thus far would think the psalmist is simply bargaining with God; what strikes the reader of this psalm is his utter and relentless declarations that he will obey the Torah (or the various words he uses for God’s Torah).



Leave a Comment ยป
Related Topics: Psalm 119
beliefnet
  list archives most recent most popular  
beliefnet
Previous Posts

This blog is no longer active
This blog is no longer being actively updated. Please feel free to browse the archives or: Read our most popular inspiration blog See our most popular inspirational video Take our most popular quiz

posted 3:10:39pm Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Our Common Prayerbook 30 - 3
Psalm 30 thanks God (vv. 1-3, 11-12) and exhorts others to thank God (vv. 4-5). Both emerge from the concrete reality of David's own experience. Here is what that experience looks like:Step one: David was set on high and was flourishing at the hand of God's bounty (v. 7a).Step two: David became too

posted 12:15:30pm Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Theology After Darwin 1 (RJS)
One of the more important and more difficult pieces of the puzzle as we feel our way forward at the interface of science and faith is the theological implications of discoveries in modern science. A comment on my post Evolution in the Key of D: Deity or Deism noted: ...this reminds me of why I get a

posted 6:01:52am Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Almost Christian 4
Who does well when it comes to passing on the faith to the youth? Studies show two groups do really well: conservative Protestants and Mormons; two groups that don't do well are mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics. Kenda Dean's new book is called Almost Christian: What the Faith of Ou

posted 12:01:53am Aug. 31, 2010 | read full post »

Let's Get Neanderthal!
The Cave Man Diet, or Paleo Diet, is getting attention. (Nothing is said about Culver's at all.) The big omission, I have to admit, is that those folks were hunters -- using spears or smacking some rabbit upside the conk or grabbing a fish or two with their hands ... but that's what makes this diet

posted 2:05:48pm Aug. 30, 2010 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(1)
post a comment
Ted Gossard

posted March 5, 2007 at 5:16 am


Scot, Interesting thoughts.
Yes. The heart of his call is a heart of wanting to obey God. Not simply wanting deliverance. Certainly both. But not for one moment is the psalmist wavering in his commitment to obey. I think his call is within the bounds of unwavering commitment, as far as his heart’s intent is concerned.
As we inevitably pray big and little prayers for help to God during our days, is our desire simply to be delivered? Or to live always in his will, and obey? (The cross is never dispensed of in this life.)



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.

Share this story

Related Topics: Psalm 119
beliefnet
  list archives most recent most popular  
beliefnet

About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.