Hebrew theology acknowledged the Spirit Realm but carefully avoiding presuming to say much about it. The primary issue was not whether one’s spirit was alive or dead, but whether one was morally alive or dead. One who seemed morally insensitive was typically referred to as a “fool” who would, at best, play sharp with the words of the Covenant. By the same standard, though, a sensitive conscience was as much as one could expect from someone morally alive. It wasn’t a question of always doing the right thing, but of always bearing a sense of penitence. If you felt a genuine sense of sorrow over your mistakes, there was always room to repent.
Thus, this psalm celebrates the morally awakened soul. God is not a nag; a festering guilty conscience is a liar. Rather, a genuine sense of accountability to a very personal sovereign Lord is the point here. Thus, how sweet it is to know when your Lord has restored you to Covenant blessings! It’s better to learn not to try hiding even little things, but to face the music for your mistakes. David describes the gnawing sense of terror that comes from trying to ignore your conscience. There is simply no place to hide. It’s better to learn the habit of seeking God’s face early, because the curses of Covenant failure can pile up pretty quickly.
Righteous people have little to fear in this life. They are quick to rejoice and celebrate the goodness of God. Having experienced a good bit of testing, David says rather assertively, “Let me teach you a thing or two about this Covenant life.” He promised there would be no games; he will maintain bold eye contact. You can learn or you can be a stubborn draft animal who requires a bridle because it cannot be trusted to behave on its own. Better to serve God with a will than be forced by the constraints of the Law. That gets painful quickly. Life is far more pleasant for those who make Jehovah Lord.
Those whom God has granted a moral awareness are truly blessed of all humanity on this earth.
