What can we learn about God's holiness from Psalm 89:38? Setting the Scene Psalm 89 begins by celebrating God’s covenant with David, but verse 38 shifts suddenly: “But You have spurned and rejected him; You are enraged by Your anointed one.” This sharp turn spotlights God’s holiness. From this single sentence, several truths unfold. Divine Indignation Flows From Perfect Purity • God’s holiness means absolute moral purity. Anything less than perfect righteousness provokes His wrath (Habakkuk 1:13). • “You have spurned and rejected” shows sin is never shrugged off; holiness repels it. • “You are enraged” reveals wrath as a holy, measured response, not capricious anger (Nahum 1:2–3). Holiness Protects Covenant Integrity • Earlier in Psalm 89, God promised to discipline David’s descendants for disobedience (vv. 30-32). Verse 38 shows Him keeping that word. • Holiness guarantees God will not compromise His standards to keep a relationship; instead He purifies the relationship. • Even the “anointed” (king) is not exempt—God’s throne is founded on “righteousness and justice” (Psalm 89:14). Holiness Exposes Sin in God’s People • Israel’s kings often led the nation into idolatry (2 Kings 21:1-9). Holiness forced God to confront that betrayal. • Hebrews 12:10 echoes the pattern: “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness.” Discipline flows from loving holiness, not spite. Holiness and Love Meet at the Cross • Psalm 89:38 foreshadows the ultimate Anointed, Jesus. On the cross the Father “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • God’s holy anger against sin fell on His Son, satisfying justice while displaying steadfast love (Romans 3:25-26). • The empty tomb assures that holiness won, covenant promises stand, and mercy is available to all who believe. Responding to the Holy One • Revere Him: “Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11). • Repent quickly: Sin that offends His holiness cannot be hidden (1 John 1:9). • Pursue holiness: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Rest in covenant faithfulness: The same holy God who disciplines also restores (Psalm 89:33-34). Psalm 89:38 is a jarring verse, yet its tough love unveils the radiant purity of God. His holiness will not tolerate sin, yet through Christ it secures our redemption and beckons us into a life set apart for Him. |
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