The Law of God Miscellanies (8)

That I may tell of all Your praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation. Psalm 9.14

Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes. Psalm 119.155

LORD, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments. Psalm 119.166

Reflect and discuss.
1.  We are not saved by works, but we’re not saved without them. Explain.

2.  Since the Law is holy and righteous and good (Rom. 7.12), what should be its role in defining and directing the good works which saved people do?

Think about it.
Let’s take a closer look at these psalms, beginning with Psalm 9. Here David says that the joy of our salvation is to be told and experienced in the gates of Zion. While this certainly intends to locate the saving blessings of God within the community of faith, the particular reference to the gates of Zion suggests the Lawof God as an even sharper focus. In the gates of the cities of Israel is where the elders met to deliberate matters of Law for the good of the community (cf. Ruth 4). Those deliberations helped the people of those communities to know the salvation of the Lord for all aspects of their lives.

We know and enjoy the salvation – life – God intends for us as we walk and dwell within His Law. There must be no separation of Law and grace within the divine economy. By grace we know God and understand His will (Ps. 9.13). God’s will is revealed in His Word, beginning with His Law. If we would know the full joy of our salvation, we must reside “in the gates” where God's Law unfolds the path of Kingdom greatness (Matt. 5.17-19; Ps. 119.105). 

It is important to note here that David contrasts the gates of Zion with the gates of death (v. 13; cf. Jesus’ “gates of hell” Matt. 16.18). Those who do not believe are “far” from God’s salvation, as evidenced by the fact that they want nothing to do with His Law. The Church finds safety and salvation within the gates of Zion – all the Law and Word of God. This should lead first to praise (v. 14a) and then increasing understanding and obedience. All this must be understood and embraced within the larger framework of God’s righteous judgment and the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Ps. 9.8, 16; cf. Acts 17.31). 

Jesus is the last word on the Law and righteousness of God. In Him we are safe within God's stronghold (Ps. 9.9), impervious to the threats or power of our enemies (vv. 9-12), and empowered to know, will, and do what pleases Him and conduces to our salvation, because of the Spirit dwelling in us (Phil. 2.13; Ezek. 36.26, 27). In the Lord we hope for a greater measure of His salvation, and that hope is directly tied to our obedience to the commandments of God.

As believers, we dwell within the gates of Zion, against which no foe can prevail. As we live this way, doing the good works of salvation God’s Law prescribes, our joy is full, and we know full assurance of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Heb. 6.9-12).

What will it mean for you to dwell within the gates of Zion today?

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Read Ruth 4.1-12. The gates of the city is where elders and judges met to deliberate the wellbeing of their communities. Why would it have been important for them to be well-grounded in the Law of God?

2.  In churches today, what compares to the “gates of Zion”? Who should sit in those gates? What should they do?

3.  If the wicked are far from the Law of God, where should the righteous be? How can they do that?

“The gates of the daughter of Zion, being opposed to the gates of death, are praiseworthy deeds and the contemplation on the works of God done according to excellence and wisdom.” Didymus the Blind (313-398 AD)

Lord, I want to dwell securely within the gates of Zion, and that means that I…

Pray Psalm 9.1-14.
As you pray, name the many marvelous works God has accomplished for you in Jesus Christ. Ask Him to show you how to dwell within His gates for the coming day.

Psalm 9.7-16 (Diademata: Crown Him with Many Crowns)
Lord, You forever reign in judgment on Your throne.
The world in bitter wrath and pain Your righteousness will own. 
All those who know Your Name, though in this life oppressed, 
You shelter from the storms of shame and keep them ever blessed.

Praise then the Lord of Zion; declare His deeds abroad!
Praise Judah’s mighty saving Lion, the ever-blesséd God,
Whose blood has washed us clean, Who hears our plaintive cries, 
Who good to us has ever been and lifts us to the skies!

Lift up your voice in praise before glad Zion’s gate!
Rejoice in Jesus’ saving ways; His glory celebrate!
The nations fail and fall, condemned by their own hands; 
The Lord Who showed Himself to all o’er them in judgment stands.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.