Righteous Praise

What image comes into your mind when you hear the word righteousness? Are they positive or negative? For many it could be images of pride at being right; or of someone who is perfect and very tight - unable to let go and have fun.

That's not the bibles image. And today's Psalm corrects our image. The word righteous is mentioned 3 times in our reading.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Psalm 33:1-5

What do we learn?

The righteous sing with joy. They are not dull people, I guess what you notice about them first is their joy rather than their 'righteousness.' And that joy is attractive, because it is deep and lasting. It's source is not in the traditional pursuits of the world, but in God himself. To meet someone filled with his joy, is challenging and infectious!

God's word is right. He always speaks the truth, and the keeps his word perfectly. In his actions we see what righteousness looks like. In his Son, Jesus, we look at one who is wholly righteous.

The Lord love righteousness. He loves those who act in righteousness. He hates wickedness. In his son, we see one who is dearly loved. And as we cloth ourselves in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we can truly say, we are deeply loved by God himself.