PSALM 119 - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
LAMED. (Ps 119:89-96).
89-91. In all changes God's Word remains firm (1Pe 1:25). Like
the heavens, it continually attests God's unfailing power and
unchanging care (Ps 89:2).
is settled in--that is, stands as firmly as the heaven in which
it dwells, and whence it emanated.
89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established
the earth, and it abideth. [(Ps 33:9).]
91 They [the heaven (Ps 119:89) and the earth (Ps 119:90). HENGSTENBERG
translates, "They stand for thy judgment," that is,
ready, as obedient servants, to execute them. The usage of this
Psalm favors this view. But see Jer 33:25.] continue this day
according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
[92-94. Hence the pious are encouraged and inclined to seek a
knowledge of it, and persevere amidst the efforts of those planning
and waiting to destroy them.]
92 Unless thy law had been my delights [plural, not merely delight,
but equal to all other delights.], I should then have perished
in mine affliction.
[93. The bounds of created perfection may be defined, but those
of God's law in its nature, application, and influence, are infinite.
There is no human thing so perfect but that something is wanting
to it; its limits are narrow, whereas God's law is of infinite
breadth, reaching to all cases, perfectly meeting what each requires,
and to all times (Ps 19:3, 6, 7-11; Ec 3:11). It cannot be cramped
within any definitions of man's dogmatical systems. Man never
outgrows the Word. It does not shock the ignorant man with declared
anticipations of discoveries which he had not yet made; while
in it the man of science finds his newest discoveries by tacit
anticipations provided for.]
93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened
me.
94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider
thy testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is
exceeding broad.
The Fourth Principle
In society there must be some sort of authoritative structure to ensure order. Anarchy and chaos result when everyone does that which is right in his own mind (Judges 21:25). Under such circumstances, everyone goes his own way, but eventually the various paths cross. When they do so, there is bound to be trouble. If society is going to resolve conflicts, protect individuals, and promote the general well being of its inhabitants, there must be some kind of order. According to the Bible, certain relationships and their roles have been established for the ongoing of society. The roles and functions prescribed for each person in these relationships serve as the glue that holds society together.
According to the Bible, the most fundamental social relationship is the family. The Biblical model for this unit prescribes roles for the husband-wife and parent-child relationships. Outside the family, the Bible prescribes other roles and relationships. For example, roles and functions are set for the employer-employee (or master-slave) and government-citizen relationships.
Fundamentally, the essence of each of these relationships is that of head-subject or leader-follower. Of course, in modern circles, the idea of submission raises people's wrath. Nevertheless, can any social relationship function without there being someone willing to submit to some degree? Any law, or policy, whether decreed or voted on, means someone will have to follow and accept the will of another.
But, it must be clearly understood that there is a limit to which one is expected to submit to any such relationship. This right to resist is not rooted in selfish defiance of those in authority over us, but in the fact that those in authority over us cannot require us to submit to them if they are asking us to do something contrary to the word of God. Our ultimate authority is the Lord Jesus Christ and no one has the right to ask us to do anything that would violate this relationship.
The system of headship prescribed in the Bible regulates the horizontal relationships of human social interaction, but only so far as these relationships do not violate one's vertical relationship with God. If something the Christian is considering contradicts the express will of his duly authorized spiritual head, then it is sin. We must always remember that the spiritual head is placed over the individual by God. As such, the head has the authority of God unless he negates his own position by expecting sin of others.
The key passages that expound this principle are Ephesians 5:22-6:9 and Romans 13:1-7. Other passages that teach this same principle are Colossians 3:18-4:1 and I Peter 2:11-3:7. The key to understanding these relationships is the word "submit." The Greek word hupotasso was used in military settings and meant "to draw up in order of battle, to form, array, marshal." According to Strong's Concordance, the word meant "to arrange under; to subject one's self, obey." As we have already pointed out, to discuss the concept of submission in modern settings often provokes rage. Independence movements, women's right's movements, etc., all resist such a notion. This, in many cases, has been brought on by the abuse of rights by the spiritual head. The husband, parent, master, employer, and government official, contrary to what some seem to think, do not have the right to exercise absolute dictatorial control over their subjects. They have been given their positions by God so as to lead and guide those in submission with a selfless love. Sin frequently interferes with these God-ordained relationships. For this system to work as God intended for it to, the heads must remember at all times that they too are in submission to God. This will rule out any arrogance on the part of the spiritual head.
In summary, if something is going to be correct ethically, it must not cause us to go against the rightful will of our spiritual head or heads.
The Fifth Principle
This principle is really the practical extension of the second and third principle. Paul's whole argument in addressing the various issues at Corinth is that whatever one does in regard to ethical questions, in the final analysis, ought to glorify God. In I Corinthians 10:31, Paul summarizes his entire appeal running through the preceding four chapters by saying: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." The idea is clear-all things are to ultimately glorify God!
Discerning whether something will glorify God can be highly subjective. Yet, at the same time, it can be very practical. Faith, the Scriptures tell us, comes by hearing God's word (Romans 10:17). Consequently, if we are going to do something that will glorify God, it must be done by faith. This means we ought to have book, chapter, and verse for what we are thinking about doing. If we don't have Biblical authority, then what we are about to do is sinful. Furthermore, if we don't know whether we have Bible authority to do a particular thing, and we do it anyway, we sin by violating our conscience (Romans 14:23) and could not possibly glorify God in such a thing.
In Conclusion
We have now considered a model for developing a Biblical ethic
based on five scriptural principles. You must bring to this model
a willingness to seek, find, and follow the will of God regarding
any particular ethical issue. If you do so, I am convinced that
you will know how the Lord wants you to conduct yourself ethically
(John 7:17).
"Changing The Rules Of The Game" by Don Alexander
Reprinted from The Gospel Messenger (http://www.pollockcaminochurchofchrist.org)
Did you ever as a child play a game with a friend who didn't like losing? You know the type. He starts to lose the game and becomes frustrated. Then he gets upset at you for winning. Then he reminds you of the rules of the game. The problem is that his rules of the game don't match the real rules of the game. For example, you have five red checkers left to his one black checker. He is surrounded with no way out without getting "jumped" and losing his last checker, and therefore the game. At the last minute he tells you that the player who loses his checkers first is the winner! You know this isn't true and that he is trying to change the rules to fit his predicament! What would you think if your mortgage company decided that your fixed rate mortgage should be treated as an adjustable rate after all and raises your interest rate automatically? Or if your boss at work decided that he would not pay you for your vacation leave after you have taken it based on his promise to pay you for it? Or if your teacher decided that you missed the deadline for turning in your term paper after changing the deadline to one week earlier than originally posted? Or if your grocer decided that a pound of ground sirloin was equal to 12 ounces rather than 16 ounces and charged you for a "pound" anyway?
Are there no fixed standards or rules that apply? Can someone just arbitrarily change the rules of the game to fit their predicament? God has given His Word, the Bible, as our only rule of conduct. We know His will only through its pages (II Timothy 3:16-17). We can depend on God to be fair, honest, and predictable in His response to our sin but also to our obedience (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We do not expect Him to be arbitrary or prejudiced in His application of His rule of conduct (Acts 10:34-35). His Son, Jesus Christ, died for all who would come to Him in submission (Romans 3:25). Jesus Christ alone has "all authority" in "heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18).
Dare we change His Word to fit our predicament? Dare we reinterpret ethical sins to fit our desires-"lies" becoming "loving acts" to spare another's feelings? Dare we redefine moral sins to assuage our guilt-adultery and fornication becoming acceptable practices because "I can't help myself"? Dare we redefine doctrinal concepts to fit our desires for having church our way-asking for Bible authority for practices gives way to "I think it's all right." Play by the rules in checkers and in spiritual life. Be ready to stand before God in judgment for a life well-lived by His authority.