Passage Read: Psalm 140-143
Meditation Verses: 141:4-6
Thought
The psalmist recognizes the temptation of the wicked and prays to the Lord to keep him from being drawn into their ways. He doesn't even want to taste their delicacies, knowing that could lead him astray, and also encourage the wicked in their ways. He welcomes the rebuke of the righteous man, so as to keep himself from being drawn away. And he prays continually against the deeds of the wicked. He knows that one day they will all be destroyed, but in their last moments, they will know that all he said was right. That means he also speaks up against their evil deeds and teaches what is good and right. He is likely an influential person who is facing many attacks in the form of bribes to silence him or lead him into temptation to convert or embarrassed him. He knows it and is doing what he knows best to remain faithful to the Lord.
Application
So there are several things I can take away from this. I need to know the Word of God inside and out, which means I need to do it myself, not merely teach it. Then I need to teach it, but in the teaching, some people may oppose me vocally, but some will try to trip me up, entice me into doing little wrongs that lead to bigger wrongs, even just sharing with me the spoils of their wickedness, so that I get a taste for it and ease up my critique of their evil ways. I need righteous people in my life who will call me out, people who know God well and model His righteousness; they may not be leaders and teachers, but faithful servants of God who see through the subterfuges of the wicked. And I need to pray continually against the deeds of the wicked, so that I stay sharp in recognizing them, and keep a righteous hated and disgust toward their ways. So that I can remain a faithful witness of righteousness and preserve my own soul.