A Life in Synch

Our readings in 1 Timothy have underlined the importance of integrity in belief and behavior. Our commitment is not only to the truth of the gospel as a set of beliefs, but to the truth of the gospel as defining a daily way of life. Today’s psalm is on the same theme.

Known as a royal psalm, David’s song articulates the qualities that God expects of those who are to govern his people. At one level, it portrays the personal and social qualities needed for the wise rule of God’s people. The repetition presses home David’s desire to live with integrity—a blameless life (2) and a blameless heart (2). Positively, this demands consistent behavior and a clear orientation towards what is good. Negatively, he wants to exclude an attitude or association which will lead him away from the Lord’s standards. Hence his rejection of faithless people (3), a perverse or proud heart (4,5), and deceitful behavior (7).

The only king who truly fulfills such standards is the Messiah himself, yet as God’s people we should aspire to the same standards, and those who “rule” in God’s Church must equally be people of integrity. As Paul has explained to Timothy, those appointed as leaders in God’s family must be committed to God’s truth and must be people of consistent character and behavior. As David declares, they are to be “careful to lead a blameless life” (2). The standards of the psalm are high indeed, so we rejoice that the head of the Church into whom we are being built up is Jesus Christ, the perfect embodiment of the psalm. As we hear his word in Scripture and emulate his life in the power of the Spirit, we, too, will learn to walk blamelessly.

Pray today for presidents, governments and leaders in your society, as well as for those who lead in the Christian community.