The “Perfect Way” with a “Perfect Heart” (Part 2 of 5)

What you are at home is what you are.

February 17, 2021

"I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.  I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.  O when wilt thou come unto me?  I will walk within my house with a perfect heart."

Psalm 101:1-2

Part 2

Yesterday:  A Psalm for a King
David wrote of what he will need to do, and to be, to make a successful king. He challenged his own heart to do right.

 

Today:  Singing to the LORD

“I will sing of mercy and judgment.”
David was known as the “sweet singer of Israel.”  Reading through David’s songs (psalms) gives us an idea of what he is thinking about in his heart.  He knows well of Jehovah’s mercy and judgment, and could it be that as a new king, he desires to be wise in his use of these necessary things?  He will be called upon to show mercy to the righteous and to execute judgment on the wicked.

“The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:6-8).

As David sings, it is from a “devoted heart.”

Parents, don’t we need these skills in working with our children?  We are called on to administer mercy and/or correction at a moment’s notice to our child.  And either one needs to be handed out lovingly.  Lord give us wisdom!

 

“Unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.”
David’s song is to the LORD.  He should be the target audience for our songs of praise as well.  If we forget who we are singing to, we can end up worshipping the wrong person.  Dr. Lester Roloff was an unusual preacher of the Gospel.  As he preached the Word, he spoke to the congregation one moment, the next he would break out in song to the Lord, and any time he might start talking to the Lord in prayer.  Dr. Roloff was the kind of believer who spent much time with his Lord.  He told a story of a lady who talked with him after one of his sermons.  She said to him, “Dr. Roloff, I can’t stand to hear you sing!”  To which he replied, “That’s okay, lady, I’m not singing to you.”  He never forgot his audience was his Lord.

“I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.  My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed” (Psalm 71:22-23).

The LORD is the focus of David’s heart, will, desires, and worship. His music points to Him.

Parents are wise to use music in their family devotions and teaching times.  Sacred songs will help teach and reinforce Bible truths about God to our children.

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).

Tomorrow we will look at what David thinks about “behavior,” and his own conduct in particular.  See you then.

 

Quote:  “The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music”[1] (Jonathan Edwards).

 

 

 

[1] Edward’s quote Downloaded: Saturday, February 13, 2021.  From: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/14-inspiring-christian-quotes-about-music/.