Ethical Stance in the Psalms

As I have read through the Psalms it has become evident that there are consitent view points on ethical conduct presented throughout the work. One particular focus of this ethical conduct deals with reverent and consistent worship of God. While the extreme nature of this ethic is not necesarilly practicable today, the core principles are still considered to be important and livable today. The less exreme versions of this ethic can be seen today in modern Christianity and Judaism, but in different ways.

Before we can see how modern Christianity and Judaism reflect the ethic prescribed by the Psalms, we must first look at the Psalms themselves to see the ethic reflected in the text. Psalm 18 in particular shows the way consistent worship is promoted as the proper way to conduct one's life. The Psalm reads "The Lord dealt with me by my merit,/ for my cleanness of hands He requited me./ For I kept the ways of the Lord/ and did no evil before my God./ For all His laws were before me./ From his statutes I did not swerve." This quote shows a person who has absolved to God's laws and kept consistent in his worship of God. Because he has done this, the man has been protected and rewarded by God.

In addition to Psalm 18, Psalm 26 shows a praise for worship. The Psalm reads, "Lord, I love the abode of Your house/ and the place where your glory dwells." In this particular quote, the man appears to be displaying his love for the temple. He is showing that he feels fulfilled by entering and worshiping in the house of God.

These two Psalms both show elements of reverence that can be seen today in modern Christianity and Judaism, although both religions have a different focus. Judaism tends to follow what these Psalms say more closely. Judaism still has a great emphasis on worhsip and tradition as core fundamentals of their religious practice. Although the people who wrote the songs were probably more dilligent than modern Jews, the attitudes are still quite similar. Christianity, however, has expanded upon this emphasis on worship. In addition to emphasizing church and prayer as a core part of their religion, Chirstians have expanded to include performing chartible works as part of their worship. This attitude is not really seen in the Psalms and shows a fundamental difference between the practices of those who wrote the Psalms and modern day Christians. Nevertheless, the attitudes and ethics promoted by the Psalms are still seen today, just in different ways.