“Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous laws.” -Psalm 119:164

In Scripture, the number seven is viewed as perfect or complete. The psalmist may be saying that he praises the Lord of Heaven perfectly as well as frequently. Perfect in the sense that he is innocent before his transgressors, which he has already stated. We have also witnessed his sincerity of worship, which is acceptable in the sight of the Lord. The writer’s worship completely characterizes his life. On this verse Charles Spurgeon comments, “As often as he thought of God’s ways a song leaped to his lips.” As Christians, we too are to make our entire lives a sacrifice of praise unto God. All we do and say throughout the day should be pleasing to our Master. What if Jesus stood right beside us throughout the day? Would we focus more on ourselves or on praising Him? This does not mean we turn into legalists, buttoned up stiff forgetting how to act human. Christians should be the most joyful people on earth, delighting in His grace toward us. 

Whether the phrase “seven times a day” means frequency in praise, a holy perfection, or both, the psalmist is secure in his position before the Throne of Grace. He is not spiritually prideful, but knows his sin is covered perfectly in the future promise of a Messiah. Therefore his acts of praise are acceptable (perfect) before the Father. God accepts us because we are covered in the righteousness of Jesus Christ who perfectly fulfilled the law. The psalmist too can rightly declare his innocence and sonship through adoption in Christ Jesus alone. Perfect praise flows from grateful lips from the one who knows his sin and God’s redeeming grace.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This is a song I remember singing in the church I grew up in. It seems fitting here.