What is righteousness? Is it the keeping of commandments? Yes, certainly, all biblical authors without exception link righteousness in particular to commandments, with the law given by God, with what we call in the biblical language Torah. But indeed, for the authors...
What is righteousness? Is it the keeping of commandments? Yes, certainly, all biblical authors without exception link righteousness in particular to commandments, with the law given by God, with what we call in the biblical language Torah. But indeed, for the authors of the biblical books, Torah is not only the law, even if it is a law given by God. Also enters into the notion of Torah the lifestyle corresponding to this law, and the spiritual state necessary for such a life. All this together is called the way of righteousness, which is indicated by God.
It would seem, that the sinner cannot be righteous by definition, righteousness is God's miracle, it is possible not thanks to, but in spite of the nature of the fallen man. How is it possible to learn a miracle? And all the same, as is evident, God wants from us, that we decide on fact, knowingly hopeless, to begin war, which without Him we shall lose indubitably.
Even with His participation this war turns out deathful for us, quite as any war. And still it turns out more difficult than any earthly war: because it is about war with sin, which is not only inside us, but also around us, a war, where there are neither fronts, nor rear areas, where the enemy is everywhere, and we turn out to be someone like guerilla on the territory occupied by this enemy.
The support from on high in such situation plays naturally a decisive role; but also depends not less on our ability to accept. The way of righteousness is a thing of the man-God, from man depends here in a certain sense not less, than from God. That is why it arrives to the one wishing to reach the goal to learn righteousness, and it turns out not only God's miracle, but also habit. This habit of righteous life, without which even God's help can turn out useless for us.
25 David distrest, takes refuge in God, Psa 25:1-7.
Shews the goodness of God to them that fear him, Psa 25:8-15.
Prays for help against his enemies, and for the church, Psa 25:16-22.
A psalm of David.
25:2 Ashamed - Disappointed of my hope.
25:3 Cause - Without any provocation of mine.
25:4 Teach - Teach me my duty, and cause me to keep close to it, notwithstanding all temptations.
25:8 Upright - Holy and true, in all his declarations and offers of mercy to sinners. Therefore - He will not be wanting to such poor sinners as I am, but will guide them into the way of life and peace.
25:9 The meek - Such as meekly submit themselves to God, and are desirous to be directed and governed by him. Judgment - In the paths of judgment, in the right way.
25:10 Paths - All the dealings of God with them, yea even those that are afflictive, are done in kindness and faithfulness to them.
25:11 For - Or, though (as this particle is often rendered) it be great. Possibly he speaks of his sin against Uriah and Bathsheba.Great - Or, much or manifold. For the Hebrew word signifies both great and much.
25:12 Chuse - Which God appointeth.
25:13 At ease - Heb. in Good; in the possession and enjoyment of the true good. The land - Canaan; which was given as an earnest of the whole Covenant of Grace, and all its promises.
25:14 The secret - His love and favour, which is called his secret, Job 29:4 Psa 25, Pro 3:32, because it is known to none but him that enjoyethit. Will shew - He will make them clearly to understand it, both its duties and its blessings; neither of which ungodly men rightly understand.
25:15 Pluck - He will deliver me out of all my troubles.
25:20 Soul - My life.
25:22 Israel - If thou wilt not help me, yet spare thy people who suffer for my sake, and in my sufferings.