I'm thinking about Ps. 143.2, this morning. David writes: "And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified" (KJV).
David had a deep grasp both of man's nature, and of God's mercy and grace.
So much of the interpretation of this verse hinges upon the meaning of the word "justified." It is taken from a Hebrew word which means "to be in the right" or "to have a just case" or "to carry one's point, be vindicated." Could a man ever carry his point or be in the right in comparison to God? Absolutely not, David concludes, and rightly so.
What can we do? Throw ourselves upon God's mercy, as David does in the first line of this verse. "Enter not into judgment with thy servant." Notice that David makes the [correct] assumption that it is right for God to enter into judgment against him. Then he pleads with God not to do so.
Is vindication possible? Absolutely not from the framework of man. We are sinners. We are condemned...and justly so. Vindication is possible. It has to be a work of God, however, man cannot accomplish it.
I cannot justify myself before God. However, God can justify me before him. This is accomplished in the person and work of Christ.
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