16 But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? 17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. 18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. 19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. 20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. 22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: 23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

This section of Psalm begins back in verse seven where the Lord is telling his people that he does not need their sacrifices or other religious rituals. His people have rejected him, while continuing to observe their religion. When we read of the wicked, to whom he here speaks, we think of someone who is a terrible person. We think of one who is immoral or perhaps one who is profane in their speech, using cursing and swearing without regard for God. We think of one who has no concern of right or wrong.

The interesting thing here is that this wicked person is one who recites the scripture. This is one who continues to go to church and put on a front of being religious. Yet, in their real life they are dishonest. They have forgotten God, not in word but in the way they live toward him. Jesus quoted from the prophet to the religious leaders of his day and said they worshipped God with their lips but their hearts were far away from him. This was said to those who were particular to keep every minute detail of the law. Jesus taught they should keep the details of the law but also they needed to learn the essence of it; love for God and love for one another.

This psalm concludes with God explaining the real problem. They thought that God was altogether like them. Do we relegate God to our level? Do we try to control him by our logic? Do we dismiss his will as no more important than our own? He is God! We must confess him as God in all we do and say.

O Lord God, creator of all things, I give you praise, honor and glory. I ask you to come into my heart with your love. Give me faith to make your will be done on earth (in my heart and in my life) as it is in heaven. Give me humility to submit my ego, my selfish pride and my inordinate desires to you so that your Spirit will have free course to rule my heart. I ask you to give me your peace today as I trust you in all things. Fill me with love so I will be kind, gentle and forgiving toward others. I pray in Jesus’ name.

May God bless each of us as we humbly serve him today.