by Robert Fudge

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.

2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
with you the wicked cannot dwell.

5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;
you hate all who do wrong.

6 You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
the LORD abhors.

7 But I, by your great mercy,
will come into your house;
in reverence will I bow down
toward your holy temple.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make straight your way before me.

9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with destruction.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongue they speak deceit.

10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (NIV)

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God is who He is because of His nature. As God, He abhors that which is evil. It is hard for us to grasp the concept of truly hating that which is evil. However, we are told to “abhor that which is evil” and “flee from every kind of evil” and other such commands. In the place of evil, we are to “love that which is good.”

Practical application: Is the music we listen to what God would consider good (does it extol morality and virtue)? Do the movies we consider good fit the same definition from God’s perspective? The books we read, etc?

We must (as in v. 7) with reverence come before God. Not in some physical building, but each day of our lives – all day. When we truly humble ourselves to Him, he will surround us with favor as with a shield (v. 12). May God bless you and keep you in His will.