Briefing: Why do we, as peace officers, think we have to act a certain way? Were we taught this in academy or is it a type of urban myth that all officers have to look and act tough to get respect? Who are we trying to convince? I am so guilty of this, when I put on the uniform I want to portray a picture of total control.

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Psalm 33.

On the Street: David starts this Psalm out in a unique way. He talks about all this singing and praising the LORD. When was the last time you had this kind of joy in your heart? The kind of joy that let you cut loose with love and admiration. Such joy that you did not care who was watching or what anyone thought. When was the last time you saw a law enforcement officer act like this?

David was not a man who spent time worrying what other people would think about him. His relationship with God, his praise of God, and trying to carry out the lifestyle God expects was all based on his obedience. David was living a life that lined up with God’s will. When our focus is on God, we don’t care what people around us think or say. This is why the Bible warns us to not let our pride control us (See Investigational Resources for verses on pride).

Verse 5, “The LORD loves righteousness and justice;” the job you do pleases the LORD! He is proud of you when you carry out justice with righteousness. This is a good place to be, on the right side of justice and righteousness. David finishes this verse with, “the earth is full of His unfailing love.” If the earth is full of it, we cannot escape it. God’s love is with us on the worst of calls the most dangerous situations.

This Psalm is so similar to Psalm 32 before it. It continues to build on the theme of a child living in obedience to the father, the Father’s love and discipline. The fear of the LORD is as verse 8 says, “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him.” This is the description of a healthy respect for someone who has authority over you, like The Father.

David builds on this idea of respect and fear of the LORD by describing the absolute greatness of God. Verses 6-19 show God as the creator of all things. He is the owner, operator, and CEO of all things. He expects a return on His investment as seen in the Parable of the Talents.

Pay particular attention to verse 15. We touched on this thought when looking at Psalm 32, God knows our heart. “He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” We are foolish if we think we can hide our intentions and thoughts from Him.

Again, David ends the Psalm with a statement of faith. Verses 20-22 says, “We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”

Investigational Resources: Pride; Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:18. The Parable of the Talents is found in Matthew 25:14-30.

Officer Safety Principle: May God’s unfailing love rest on us as we continue to improve on our attempts to put all of our hope in Him.

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