1 Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God
before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds;
they are set on a way that is not good;
they do not reject evil.
5Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.
"The devil made me do it." An unlikely excuse to hear these days. It seems that is an option that many people hide behind these days. We don't want to take responsibility for our actions, especially when they are our misdeeds. What keeps someone honest?
The fear of God is what points out the difference between what is good and what is evil. Without the fear of God, there is no scale of measurement which we know ourselves. The fear of God is not like fear of the dark. Instead, it is an acknowledgment that God can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. It means that we cannot define God, but God can define us. That is what it means to have the fear of the Lord.
Pray Psalm 36.
