Pastor Peter Mason - February 3, 2019
The Righteous Judge
The Righteous Judge Psalm 139:17-23
David’s awareness of God—all-knowing, ever-present LORD, Creator, brings conviction of sin—that
sin must be punished. God cannot look lightly on sin and those who seek to harm others.
It is an offense against a holy God.
I. Reflect on the all-knowing and ever-present righteous character of God (vv. 17-18)
a. All-knowing
b. Ever present
c. Creator
d. Righteous
II. Oppose sin and those who advance the destruction of others (vv. 19-24).
a. David longs for the “vindication of God’s righteousness.”
b. Instead of referring to the LORD, YHWH, the personal, promise-keeping God,
he refers to God as Elohim viewing him in his power, strength, authority, control and force.
He calls on that all-powerful God to slay the wicked. Elohim comes from the verb “to be strong.”
c. Now David addresses the wicked ones. He disassociates himself from the wicked.
d. The Hebrew word for hate is not primarily an emotional word, but rather a choice to reject
those who have rejected God and his ways.
III. Ask God to search your own heart (vv. 23-24).
a. Calls on God to search and know his loyalties (v. 23).
b. Desires God to see if there is anything in him that would grieve God, remove that,
and asks to be led in God’s eternal way (v. 24).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting!”