By mighty deeds in righteousness
Prayer's answer surely comes from Thee,
O God our Savior, God the trust
Of all Thy saints on land and sea.
Thus we sing the truth that David wrote in Psalm 65:5. He wrote: "By terrible things in righteousness wilt Thou answer us, O God of our salvation; Who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea."
Very plainly David in these words brings us to the cross of Christ. He did not see the cross itself with his fleshly eye, and neither have we done so. But with the eye of faith he saw that cross in these "terrible things in righteousness."
The word "terrible" could better be translated as terrifying. It suggests Jesus' own words, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" There were at the cross three hours of terrifying darkness and awesome suffering of hellish agonies!
Through all this Jesus paid for our sins. In the righteous way of suffering our punishment and doing so in perfect love to God, Jesus earned for us the right to dwell with God in His house of glory. We can be saved only in a righteous way. Otherwise we add punishment.
Here we have another reason to praise God. He is the almighty, sovereign God, and the God of love, mercy, and grace. But He is also the righteous God Who will save only in the way of His justice being satisfied.
That being the case He is the confidence of all the ends of the earth. Who could confide in one who does not meet all the requirements? God sends His Son to go all the way and completely satisfy His justice. And we can be confident that there is no suffering of punishment for our sins that we must still endure.
Praise God then for His righteousness and as the God of our salvation.
Read: Colossians 1
Psalter versification: 166:4
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter number 357
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezekiel 12 ; Ezekiel 13 ; Ezekiel 14:1-11
Hebrews 57:1-17
Psalm 105:37-45
Proverbs 27:3
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Quote for Reflection:
“The eye prepares the way for hand and foot. The foot, in its carriage of the body, safeguards the eye. Each member ever cares for and serves the others. More beautiful figures of love and good works are not to be found than those derived from the body with its members. In the members we daily bear about with us, and with which we are continually familiar, God has described the law of love in a living and forcible manner. Upon the principle there illustrated, the Christian should act, conducting himself in a way to profit not himself but others, and having a sincere interest in them. Under such conditions, schisms and sects could not spring up among us.” -Martin Luther
