The Cross as the Dividing Line: Psalm 58
“1) Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? 2) No, in heart you work unrighteousness; On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands. 3) The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth. 4) They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear, 5) So that it does not hear the voice of charmers, Or a skillful caster of spells. 6) O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord.” Psalms 58:1-6
This is what is often called a “Vindictive Psalm.” It is an example of the difference between the Old and the New Testaments.
In the Old Testament the wicked were condemned as enemies with no hope for change. They were to be despised and hated.
In the New Testament, Jesus had a radically different approach. He commanded His followers to love we their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. (See Matthew 5:38-48)
Christians often live on the wrong side of the cross. They are like David and want vengeance and not mercy. They are bent toward hate and not agape love. They see no hope for the wicked.
It was love for the sinful and ungodly that nailed Jesus to the cross. The Holy Spirit baptizes the new believer in Agape Love. (See Romans 5:5) The gospel seeks to reach and save the lost.
This kind of vindictive praying is absent from the New Testament. It was replaced by love and the Great Commission. It took me years to understand this crucial difference.
The cross was the great dividing line between Old and New Testament living. We still hate sin, but we love and pray for the sinner. We recognize that the Holy Spirit and the gospel can reach and transform lost and sinful people. The Great Commission is based on great compassion.
I first heard about this contrast in Bible College. It has taken me years to understand and seek to apply. My goal is to live on the love, grace and mercy side of the cross.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“1) Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? 2) No, in heart you work unrighteousness; On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands. 3) The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth. 4) They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear, 5) So that it does not hear the voice of charmers, Or a skillful caster of spells. 6) O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord.” Psalms 58:1-6
This is what is often called a “Vindictive Psalm.” It is an example of the difference between the Old and the New Testaments.
In the Old Testament the wicked were condemned as enemies with no hope for change. They were to be despised and hated.
In the New Testament, Jesus had a radically different approach. He commanded His followers to love we their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. (See Matthew 5:38-48)
Christians often live on the wrong side of the cross. They are like David and want vengeance and not mercy. They are bent toward hate and not agape love. They see no hope for the wicked.
It was love for the sinful and ungodly that nailed Jesus to the cross. The Holy Spirit baptizes the new believer in Agape Love. (See Romans 5:5) The gospel seeks to reach and save the lost.
This kind of vindictive praying is absent from the New Testament. It was replaced by love and the Great Commission. It took me years to understand this crucial difference.
The cross was the great dividing line between Old and New Testament living. We still hate sin, but we love and pray for the sinner. We recognize that the Holy Spirit and the gospel can reach and transform lost and sinful people. The Great Commission is based on great compassion.
I first heard about this contrast in Bible College. It has taken me years to understand and seek to apply. My goal is to live on the love, grace and mercy side of the cross.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
