Briefing: Have you had a chance to testify in court, in front of a jury? Before you can give witness to anything in court, you have to be sworn in. You take an oath to tell the truth. Webster’s Dictionary defines “testify” as, “to make a solemn declaration, verbal or written, to establish some fact; to give testimony for the purpose of communicating to others a knowledge of something not known to them.”

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Psalm 6.

On the Street: Eyewitness testimony is not as valuable as it used to be. There have been too many cases where an eyewitness was considered the strongest evidence. To testify about something you only saw for a few seconds and then attempt to have total recall of the incident is almost impossible. Yet we expect witnesses to do it every day. It is hard to give good, reliable testimony about something you barely know yourself.

Back in my DWI enforcement days, I wanted to be the best witness I could be. I studied articles and training materials. I knew all of the different types of nystagmus and the causes. I researched DWI/DUI court cases, and even prepared for the different defense attorneys. To be the best, I had to put in time and work.

The author of this psalm was teaching the Israelites how to be good witnesses. He/she was teaching them how to testify to the greatness of the Almighty God. Verses 1 and 2 say, “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious!”

This psalm does not leave anything out. Verse 3 says how awesome His deeds are, and so powerful that His enemies cower down in fear of Him. Verse 4 goes on to say that the earth, not just man, the earth will bow down before God. All of His creation recognizes and worships God. I don’t think we get that in our culture, we don’t believe that a rock is a created thing that can and will cry out to God. Just because we don’t believe it doesn’t meant it is not true. If I say, “I don’t believe in gravity” it does not mean that stops existing for me. No, I can still fall and break my leg. It is like a little child who hides their eyes. They think because they cannot see you, that you cannot see them. It is cute but not true. When the little children were shouting praises to Jesus and the Pharisees asked Him to tell the children to stop Jesus said, “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40. Inanimate objects apparently make great witnesses to the awesomeness of our God.

Verse 5 says, “Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf!” This encourages me; God never stops doing good works on man’s behalf. This worship and praise of God continues through verse 15.

In verse 16 and 17 the writer says this, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue.” We see that a request was made of God and God honored it. Sometimes all we have to do is ask. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8.

The writer makes a statement in verse 18 that seems to be the key for God to hear your request, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened”. What does it mean to cherish your sin? Webster’s Dictionary defines “cherish” as, “to treat with tenderness and affection; to take care of; to foster; to nurture.”

The obvious question is, do you have sins that you cherish? If you want God to hear your prayers it is time to repent. Testimony must come from an honest and sincere heart. You can’t give good testimony if you love your sin more than you love God. Getting rid of the sin is called lining up with God. Line up with God so the testimony of your life points to Him and not yourself.

Investigational Resources: 2 Kings 19.

Officer Safety Principle: “Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer to withheld His love from me!” Psalm 66:20.

from Psalms Through the Eyes of a Cop, Volume 1
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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