Peter Barnes | Psalm 143:1-2
SERMON NOTES
RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THE UNRIGHTEOUS
Psalm 143:1-2
– one of the seven penitential Psalms but there is more trouble and distress mentioned than sin, except for verses 1-2.
1. Seek mercy in God’s righteousness.
– 143:1; contrast to Ps.51:1 where the appeal is to God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy
– Psalm 13:3-4; how can there be mercy and forgiveness if God is righteous?
2. We who are unrighteous seek God who is righteous.
– 143:2; Stephen Fry looks out on the world and blames God as ‘capricious, mean-minded, stupid’.
– the Bible says we are the problem (Job 9:2; Eccles.7:20; Isa.53:6a)
3. God’s righteousness and our unrighteousness are resolved in the cross of Christ.
– Rom.3:20; then see Rom.3:25-26
– Rom.3:28; Tit.3:5