What can we learn about God's justice from Psalm 147:20? Our Focus Verse “ He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 147:20) Setting the Scene • Psalm 146–150 form a “Hallelujah chorus,” each psalm opening and closing with praise. • Psalm 147 celebrates God as Creator, Provider, and Covenant-Keeper to Israel. • Verse 20 is the climax: highlighting the unique privilege Israel enjoys—personal exposure to God’s “judgments,” that is, His revealed standards of right and wrong. Key Insights into God’s Justice • Justice is relational – God’s “judgments” (Heb. mishpat) are not abstract rules; they flow from His character and covenant love. – He “shows His word to Jacob” (v. 19) before announcing judgment—He wants His people to know how to live rightly. • Justice is exclusive yet inviting – “He has done this for no other nation.” Only Israel received the written Law at Sinai (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). – The exclusivity underscores the preciousness of the revelation, not partiality in salvation (Isaiah 49:6; Romans 3:29). • Justice is reliable – What God declares right or wrong never shifts with culture (Malachi 3:6). – Because He is righteous in every way, His verdicts are always true (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 19:9). • Justice is inseparable from holiness – Knowledge of God’s judgments demands holiness from His people (Leviticus 19:2). – Ignoring that knowledge brings discipline (Amos 3:2). • Justice is praise-worthy – The verse ends with “Hallelujah!”—praise erupts when we grasp that God’s justice promotes peace, order, and covenant faithfulness (Psalm 97:12). Supporting Passages • Exodus 19:5-6—Israel chosen to receive and display God’s laws. • Romans 2:11-12—Accountability increases with revelation; God is impartial. • Psalm 103:7—“He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.” • Isaiah 42:1-4—The promised Messiah will extend God’s justice to the nations. Living Out the Truth Today • Value the full counsel of Scripture; treat every command and principle as a gracious disclosure of God’s heart. • Praise God for making His standards known rather than leaving humanity in moral confusion. • Model justice in daily relationships—fair dealings, truthful speech, defense of the vulnerable (Micah 6:8). • Share the good news that God’s righteous Judge is also the Savior who justifies by faith in Christ (Romans 3:26). |
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