The Glory of God

Psalms 8:1-9

“To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.” (Psalm 8:1a)

This Psalm was written by David especially for the Harp. 

“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.” (Psalm 8:1b)

It is amazing how great and wonderful our God is.  He is the God of all the earth, not just some local deity honored only in his own small circle.  The entire universe testifies to his mighty power and intelligent planning. 

“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2)

God has given strength and intelligence even to tiny babies so that even they can resist Satan’s power and choose what is right.  Had he not, the entire human population would be demon possessed.  Because he has given the strength to withstand Satan’s attacks, Satan’s power is limited to what people allow him to have over them.  Though Satan is very powerful, he cannot take control of a person unless they allow him to do so.  Unfortunately some cultures encourage people to let him take control. 

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

Realizing God made the entire universe that is millions of miles across,, making each of the stars and planets  and prescribing them to follow a particular orbit, it is amazing that God would concern himself with a single human being on a small planet orbiting a relatively small star in the midst of millions of stars.  Why would he care about us?  Why would he bother to send his own son to earth as a human to save us?

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.  Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8:5-8)

There are different levels of sentient life, from the amoeba to various insects to amphibians and reptiles to mammals and birds to humans  and finally to the angels.    Though humans are a lower order than the angels, God has given them authority ove r the things he created.  Genesis 1:26- 28 describes that authority.  “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”  

With that authority comes a level of responsibility.  We have an understanding of how things work so that we can make judgment calls about what our actions will produce.  When man chose to sin, it resulted in the awareness of moral responsibility as well.  Unlike the animals which can make decisions based on what an action will produce, mankind is able to not only understand the mechanical consequences, he is also able to understand the emotional and spiritual consequences of his actions.   As a result they are responsible for their actions to a level the animals are not. 

A dog may understand that you do not like him tearing something up, but he does not understand that doing it actually deprives you of something, whereas a human has the ability to understand that, and though he may not think about it, he is responsible for his actions in a way the dog is not.   

Unfortunately mankind tends to pervert their responsibility, sometimes focusing on a single element of the environment and ignoring the effects on other things, whether trying to manufacture some device or to protect some living organism.  It is not that those things are not importhnt , but that they are only part of the picture. 

Because Man has failed in his moral responsibility, God sent his son to provide a way to overcome the results of that sin.  His son became a human , but he fulfilled that responsibility, and thus has been given full authority over everything God created. 

“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9)

How wonderful is the God who would take such concern for mere humans to give them such authority and then provide a way to correct things when they mess up?

God, The Righteous Judge

Psalm 7:1-17

“Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.” (Psalm 7:1a)

Most Jewish poetry of the time followed very strict rules of structure and meter.  Shiggaion was a poem which didn’t follow those rules exactly.  The name means an aberration or departure from the normal.  Cush appears to have been another name for Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite.  His words are described and actions are described in II Samuel 16. 

O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.” (Psalm 7:1b-2)

When David was forced to flee Jerusalem to escape Absalom. Shimei stood on the hill above throwindg dirt at David, cursing him and yelling that he was just getting what he deserved.  Rather than rushing to his own defense, David trusted God to bring out the truth. 

“O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.” (Psalm 7:3-5)

David did not think he was guilty, but he understood how easily we can lie to ourselves about our motives.  If there was any truth to Shimei’s accusations, he asked that God allow Shimei kill him and  to destroy  his reputation as he deserved.   He would trust God to do what was right. 

“Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.  So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.” (Psalm 7:6-7)

He asks that God would avenge the wrongs done by his enemies who had turned on him, and bring judgment where it was needed, even if it included him.  Doing so would cause the people to draw close to the Lord.  He was more concerned for the welfare of the people than for his own benefit. 

“The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.  Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.” (Psalm 7:8-9)

God would judge the people, whether they stood for David or against him.  He asked that God judge him as well, according to his efforts to do what was right   He asked that the wickedness of the wicked be ended and those who did right be strengthened, because a righteous God was testing the attitudes and motivations that controlled people’s thinking.

 

“My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.  God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.  If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.  He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.” (Psalm 7:10-13)

God protects those who have a proper attitude toward him, judging them accordingly.  On the other hand, he is constantly angry at the attitudes of the wicked, and if they refuse to change, he will sharpen up his weapons of destruction, ready to execute them for their persecution of his people. 

“Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.  He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.  His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.” (Psalm 7:14-16)

Later Shimei would come asking David to overlook his behavior and David warned him that he would be observed at all times.  If he went where he could not be observed, he would be killed, and some time later he broke the agreement and was executed because he chose to ignore the agreement.  It was his own choice, just like other people who continue in sin. 

“I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” (Psalm 7:17)

David chose to praise God even in his struggles.  

Struggling To Serve

Psalm 6:1-10

“To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.” (Psalm 6:1a)

This psalm was for the stringed section of the orchestra, and was emphasize the use of an instrument similar to the eight stringed Lyre. 

“O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.  Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.  My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?” Psalm 6:1b-3)

One of the worst mistakes people make in disciplining their children is to wait until they lose their temper before they act, which results in overdoing the punishment.  David asks the Lord not to wait until he is angry, because he is weak and slips into sin very easily, which he finds frustrating.  Paul describes the same situation in Romans 7:18-25.  “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Christ had come, and Paul could depend on him ot give the victory over that natural tendency.  In David’s day Christ had not yet come, and he asks how long it will be that he has to deal with that struggle before God frees him.

“Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.  For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” (Psalm 6:4-5)

He asks that the Lord return and set him free before his death.  While death will set him free from the temptation, it will also make it impossible to serve the Lord or give thanks, or even to remember what God has done. 

“I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.  Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.” (Psalm 6:6-7)

David was tired of constantly struggling to serve the Lord and failing time after time.  Most Christians today do not seem to understand how easy it is to serve the Lord when we have the Holy spirit in us to lead and guide us.  Far too many do not understand that it is Christ who frees us from that constant struggle.  Instead of resting in the Lord, they are working themselves to death trying to please God, and many eventually give up and quit trying.  When we have to struggle that hard, something is wrong. 

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  If we are having to work that hard at being a Christian, we need to go back and learn more about Jesus and what he has done for us.

“Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.  The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.  Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.” (Psalm 6:8-10)

It will be essential to separate ourselves from those who live in sin if we are to communicate freely with the Lord.  It may embarrass those who oppose us and make them hate us, but it is better than losing God’s blessing.  This is especially true of those who claim to be Christians.  In I Corinthians 5:9-13, Paul instructs, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

We are more apt to be influenced by those who claim to be Christians and live in sin than we are by those who make no such claim.  We know they are sinners.  

Different Expectations of The Godly and Ungodly

Psalm 5:1-12

“To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.” (Psalm 5:1a)

David wrote this Psalm specifically for the flute section, addressing it to the man who played in the first chair position.     

“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.   Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:1b-3)

Frequently people talk to a little child without really listening to what he is trying to say.  Sometimes adults don’t listen because the little child just prattles away and they aren’t even sure if he is really talking to them or just likes to hear the sound of his own voice.   Sometimes when people pray, they are like the little child, wanting God to listen to them, while they are not really talking to him at all, but are just enjoying their beautiful words and their reputation for praying so much. 

Jesus addressed that very problem in Matthew 6:5-8.  “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. “   

There is no need for us to spend hours repeatedly asking God for the same thing.  Romans 8:26-27 tells us, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”   Ever wonder how many times the Holy Spirit just condenses our prayers down to the important parts and God doesn’t even listen to the rest of what we say, just like we do with the kids?

David asked that the Lord hear what he said and understand his thoughts.   He promised he would talk to the Lord, directing his prayer to him and focusing on God, recognizing him as God and king, while not abusing his privilege, just to satisfy his own ego.  

“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.  The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.  Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.” (Psalm 5:4-6)

God is a God who cannot bear to look upon sin.  He will not associate with evil.  Those who simply go along with sin will have no place with him and he hates those who deliberately and knowingly do evil.  He will destroy all those who deliberately lie and mislead people because he abhors deceitfulness and cruelty. 

“But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.  Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.” (Psalm 5:7-8)

David knows himself to be a weak sinful man but because God is a merciful God, he dares come, asking forgiveness and worshipping in the Temple.    Surrounded by those who hate him and would lead him astray, he begs that God would lead him in the proper way.

“For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.  Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.” (Psalm 5:9-10)

The wicked cannot be trusted at all.  Even their best advice is wicked, ignoring God and leads to death.  When they say nice things about you, it is for their own benefit.  David asks that God destroy them, letting them suffer the consequences of their own actions, and not bless them for what others have done because they have rebelled against God.  We live in a world where people demand the right to make choices without having to take responsibility for those choices.  One of the worst things for those who go into hell will be having to take responsibility instead of blaming someone else. 

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.  For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11-12)

Those who love God will rejoice, knowing he has protected them, surrounding them with blessings and shielding them from the evil around them.   

Misjudged

Psalm 4:1-8

“To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.” (Psalm 4:1a)

This Psalm was written specifically to be played on stringed instruments such as the Psaltery.  It is written to the chief string player, and was written by David. 

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4:1b)

In the past, God has delivered David from difficulties, and now he asks him to hear his prayers again and have mercy, not punishing him as he deserves.    

“O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.” (Psalm 4:2) 

David asks why people insist on turning the things he is proudest of into something to be embarrassed about?  Times when he sought to please God, such as when he refused to let Abishai kill Saul were viewed as a sign of weakness.  Michal despised him for getting so excited about moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.    When David tried to show his appreciation for the Ammonite king Nahash’s help, the Ammonites insulted him by their treatment of his representatives. 

People often deliberately misunderstand or distort one’s motives.  They focus on meaningless and worthless pursuits, seeking out people who will compliment them and feed their pride with falsehoods and lies.   In II Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warned, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 

The word ‘Selah’ refers to a pendulous or hanging twig.  There seems to be no exact English translation of the idiomatic way it is used here, so the translators left it alone.   The implication seems to be that ultimately the hanging twig has to stay within the limits imposed and go along, unable to do very much else.

“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.  Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 4:3-5)

When  the people reject and deliberately distort things, actively seeking teaching that satisfies their desires, they need to understand that God has chosen those who follow him for himself.  He will hear when they cry out to him.  They need to step back and see the amazing power he can exert and make sure they don’t go against him.  Instead they need to make the effort to do rightand trust God to make things turn out right. 

“There be many that say, Who will show us any good?

 LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.  Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:6-8)

Many people see God as just an uninterested observer far in the distance and assume there is no one who can help them.  David asks that God let his light shine to them, that they can see the joy in his heart.  That joy is greater than all the riches when their business is succeeding and they are getting rich.  He lay down and sleep in peace, knowing God has his back and will protect him.  The World’s ideas about God are gleaned from what they see of God working in our lives.  

God’s Forgiveness

Psalm 3:1-7

“A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.” (Psalm 3:1a)

The story of Absalom’s attempt to usurp the throne is found in 11 Samuel 15-18.  By constantly running down David’s administration and making political promises to fix the problems, he had gained a huge following.  He had enlisted some of David’s best advisors, and was prepared to have David executed, so that David was forced into exile for a little while.  He publically had incestuous relations with several of David’s wives in a deliberate effort to force people to take sides.  It was perhaps the lowest point in David’s career, knowing that Absalom’s rebellion was a direct result of his sin with Bathsheba and murdering her husband. 

“LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” (Psalm 3:1b-3)

David was shocked at how many of the people turned against him.  Many of those who followed Absalom did not initially know what was going on until he had gotten them involved in actively rebelling against David.  As a result, they were afraid to go back when they learned the truth.  The story of David’s having Uriah killed had come out, and many people felt God would not forgive him for the murder, and that what Absalom was doing was God’s judgment for David’s sin.    

Many people have a mistaken understanding about forgiveness and Justification.  Receiving forgiveness and being justified does not make it as if we had never sinned.  The effects of that sin will still be felt.  For example, if a person got drunk and caused someone to die in a car crash, being forgiven and justified does not bring the person back to life.  David understood that while God had forgiven him, there would still be consequences for the murder.  His sin had set an example before his children that would not be eliminated by just asking for forgiveness, but he could still trust God to take care of him. 

“I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.  I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” (Psalm 3:4-6)

David understood that God had forgiven him and that he still heard his prayers.  As a result, he was able to sleep soundly, confident the Lord would take care of him.  Even if there ten thousand of his people who were actively seeking to kill him he was not going to allow that fear to control him. 

“Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.  Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.” (Psalm 3:7-8)

God has effectively slapped all those who are judging David, destroying their power to do him real harm.  God  is the only one who can save us, and he blesses those who trust him, even when they have messed up badly.  The only sin he will not forgive is rejecting his son.  

The Foolishness of Denying God’s Existence and Power

Psalm 2:1-12

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” (Psalm 2:1)

By his sin in eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam made us aware of sin.  Since that time, mankind has been trying to escape the responsibility and guilt that goes with such knowledge. In their efforts, they have tried to eliminate the concept of God who has the final authority.   Romans 1:21-25 describes what they have done in their efforts to negate his power.   “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Some groups have tried to make gods of things that they can overpower, while others have denied his existence at all.  The evidence that he exists surrounds us.  Science tells there has to be a cause for everything that happens, and all no amount of time changes that principle.  As a result everything we see in the world around us testifies to the existence of God, including our own bodies.  Romans 1:19-20 informs us, “… that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.   For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”  To take a position and refuse to consider all the facts only shows ones refusal to accept reality.  Unfortunately, many people make that choice about a lot of things. 

:The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” (Psalm 2:2-3)

In their efforts to deny God and his existence or trying to minimize him into just some animal or idol, even governments have tried to set themselves above God’s authority.  They insist his moral standards no longer apply to them. 

“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 2:4-6)

They look pretty foolish to God, claiming he doesn’t exist, or that he can’t do anything to stop them.  He is offended by their denial of his existence, and will tell them he has set his own government over the world. 

“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” (Psalm 2:7-9)

God set David as an example of his power, but one day he will give the entire world into the hand of his son, Jesus Christ.  In that day the entire world will worship him, with Jerusalem as their capital.  During the thousand years of his earthly reign.  Isaiah 2:2-4 gives a brief glimpse of what his kingdom will be like.  “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.   And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2:10-12)

It would be far wiser on our part to learn from what we see around us.  If we serve the Lord, we can keep from making him angry and turning his wrath against us.  His blessings are promised to all who trust him but as Romans 1:18 warns, “…the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”