Psalm 17
The headline for this blog raises the question ‘what is a value?’ Companies often publish values and I did a quick search for some examples1 The following is just one of 10 Companies who, according to the author of the article I read, have core values that actually reflect their culture
H&M
“Individually our values may seem obvious. But put them together and our unique company culture is born. Our values are part of who we are, what we stand for and how we act.”
- We Are One Team – Our great colleagues make the difference. It’s when we share our skills, knowledge and experience we become one team. Diversity makes us strong.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit – The day we stop acting like entrepreneurs, we’ll be just another fashion company.
- Straightforward And Open-Minded – We value diversity in people and ideas, as much as in personal style.
- Cost-Conscious – Being cost-conscious is about keeping an eye on expenses and making smart, sustainable choices even in the small, everyday things.
So, what is a value? I like to explain it as ‘something I hold dear, that affects the way I behave’. The implication is, that if I say integrity is one of my
values but do not live with integrity then, integrity is not really a value for me.
The writer of Psalm 17 comes to God in verse 1, with a plea for help, and says “Hear a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry”. They then go on to say “You have tested me…” They plead their integrity and say that their lives bear out what they are saying.
The claim they make is a bold one and in verse 4 the writer says “I am living based on what you have said is right…”2 In other words they are saying that they are living by God’s values, not the prevailing ones they see around them.
It seems that opposition is the result of the psalmist’s lifestyle. They have enemies surrounding them, and their opponents are vicious people who completely lack compassion3.
Translations of the final section of the psalm vary but the New American Standard Version (NASB) closes with a description of people who value material things above the ‘spiritual’!4
The question then is “what do I value and how does that express itself in the way that I behave?” Am I dominated by material things or am I prepared to give up ‘some comfort’ so that I can help others? The key must be to ask God for help to see other people as he sees them and to respond accordingly. The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus compassion for the ‘outcasts’ of society so we don’t have to look far to see how God would want us to think about people who are different from us!
Psalm 17
A Prayer of David.
17 Hear
a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry;
Give ear
to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my
judgment come forth from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look
with equity.
3 You
have tried my heart;
You have visited me by
night;
You have tested me and You find [b]nothing;
I
have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 As
for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips
I have kept
from the paths of the violent.
5 My steps
have held fast to Your [c]paths.
My feet
have not slipped.
6 I
have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God;
Incline
Your ear to me, hear my speech.
7 Wondrously
show Your lovingkindness,
O Savior of those who take
refuge [d]at
Your right hand
From those who rise up against
them.
8 Keep
me as the apple of the eye;
Hide me in the shadow
of Your wings
9 From
the wicked who despoil me,
My deadly enemies who
surround me.
10 They
have closed their [f]unfeeling heart,
With
their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They
have now surrounded us in our steps;
They set their eyes to
cast us down
to the ground.
12 He
is like a lion that is eager to tear,
And as a young
lion lurking in hiding places.
13 Arise,
O Lord, confront him, bring him low;
Deliver my soul
from the wicked with Your sword,
14 From
men with Your hand, O Lord,
From men of the
world, whose portion is in this life,
And
whose belly You fill with Your treasure;
They are satisfied
with children,
And leave their abundance to their babes.
15 As
for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I will be
satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
A prayer
Lord , please help me to see myself as you see me, and other people as you see them. I want to live by your values. I realise that it is not just what I own, wear or eat that is important. Compassion, love and generosity are at the heart of ‘who you are’ and I need your help to live in ways that express your character.
Help me I pray,
In Jesus Name.
Amen
1https://peakon.com/blog/workplace-culture/best-company-core-values/ accessed 20th Nov 2019
2My paraphrase
3Ps 17:10-12 NASB
4Ps 17:14 NASB