BIG IDEA:
THE PERFECTION OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE PATHWAY TO THE PERMANENCE OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
(:13) THESIS: GOD IS RIGHTEOUS IN ESSENCE AND IN EXECUTION
(WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES)
A. Righteous in Essence = Who He Is
“Righteous art Thou, O Lord”
B. Righteous in Execution = What He Does
“And upright are Thy judgments.”
I. (:138, 140) THE PERFECTION OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS DEMONSTRATED IN THE REVELATION OF HIS WORD
A. Created in Righteousness
“Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness”
B. Carried out in Faithfulness
“And exceeding faithfulness”
C. Characterized by Absolute Purity
“Thy word is very pure”
D. Causes the Response of Love
“Therefore Thy servant loves it”
II. (:139, 141, 143) THE STRUGGLES OF FINITENESS / VICTORY THROUGH THE WORD
(references to our finiteness interspersed every other verse in contrast to God’s everlasting righteousness and perfections)
A. (:139) Struggle with Culture (Zeal for Righteousness vs. Prevailing Dullness)
/ Victory Thru the Word
“My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Thy words”
the world will always have a different value system
B. (:141) Struggle with Insignificance / Victory Through the Word
“I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Thy precepts”
C. (:143) Struggle with Trouble / Victory Thru the Word
“Trouble and anguish have come upon me; Yet Thy commandments are my delight.”
III. (:142, 144) THE PERMANENCE OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS REFLECTED IN THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUS WORD
A. Permanence of God’s Righteousness
“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness”
B. Absolute Truth of God’s Word
“And Thy law is truth”
C. Permanence of God’s Righteous Word
“Thy testimonies are righteous forever”
D. Prayer for Understanding
“Give me understanding that I may live”