Isn't it wonderful... incredible, that the first thing the Spirit of the Lord would want to communicate to us in the Psalms is how to be blessed, or truly happy (or as my study bible says '[enjoying] God's special favor and grace'1)?
It's also interesting that that this would be the first issue addressed within a book that is primarily a book of prayer.
The relationship between our prayer to God and our happiness should not be missed here.
Unfortunately, I think it often is. I know I missed it for many years.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement. (v.5)
In our courts the defendant is asked to stand while the verdict (judgement) is read, so this passage may seem a little odd.
But consider for a moment what your posture might be if you were led in front of the Holy God of the entire universe and found to be guilty of rebellion against Him. What would your posture be?
Would you be standing defiantly?
Sitting nonchalantly?
Doubtful.
In front of an all-powerful, perfectly just being you would undoubtedly be prostrate on your face.
From this position of pleading for mercy what would you expect this Holy God to say to those who would receive His mercy? What would He say to them to indicate they would receive it?
"Rise, my child."
He would likely tell them to stand, showing that they no longer needed to request His mercy. It had been given.
To those who would not receive His mercy, He would not ask them to stand.
"Therefore the ungodly will not stand in the judgement."
Footnotes
1. Reformation Study Bible
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