What do kings wear on their heads? Why?
Psalm 103:4 says the Lord crowns us. The word used can mean either to surround or to bestow a crown. He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. What do you think is the significance of the action which employs lovingkindness and tender mercies? I look forward to your comments.
Merry Christmas.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
At first glance a picture of a fathers love. "Tender" is a picture of newness, "His mercies are new every morning. God's loving kinddness and tender mercies suround us daily. He knows our weakness and needs. He knows our frames are dust. "Who redeems thy life from destruction" Directly preceeds. In David's day, the kinsman redeemer protected needy exended family members. When Ruth asked Boas to cover her with the corner of His garment, she was asking for him to redeem her in marriage. God's tendr mercies and loving kindness surrounds us like a cloak. I think this is a more accurate significance.
Among other things, crowns are worn by kings to distinguish them from all others. It was their sign of royalty, their noble lineage, for all in the royal family wore some type of crownly headdress. Perhaps David is showing the incredible grace of God that reaches down and pulls us out of the pit (v.4a), and places us in the royal family donning us with the distinct crown of His kingdom: steadfast love and mercy. If that is the crown he has placed on us, how are we wearing it?
The "surround" definition seems to fit better for me. The relationship between God and the Psalmist is shown and not how others see the Psalmist. No doubt the outside world will see the effects of God in his life, but here I think it's all about the communion of God and the believer.
Knowing that God "surrounds" us with lovingkindness and tender mercies, for me, adds much to the truth that "God is a refuge" and that "our lives are hidden with Christ in God."
There is a temptation to think ourselves to be better than we are. Comparing ourselves to others is not a liberty we're entitled to. Our thoughts and actions are to be held to the standard of God and His word. When done honestly, we should invariably end up where David ended up when he said, "my sin is ever before me." If we had only his wrath and judgment upon us, how could we even go on? But, he pardons our iniquities and surrounds us with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
This is why I believe it is so important that we strive to be truthful in our hearts. If we fail to look at ourselves honestly, then we will never fully experience what David experienced.
Post a Comment