Truth Encounter Bible Study

Someone gave a sundial to a group of people in the jungle. They regarded it as a fetish and wanted to keep it holy, so they built a house over it to keep it safe. This of course, kept the sun away from it. They had rendered it useless by trying to protect it. They honored the sundial, but they made it of no practical use. That's how many people regard Christianity. It has become something they have enclosed within the beautiful walls and stained glass windows of cathedrals. But, far worse, they also wall off their Christianity from their own individual daily lives. The Christian life is to be lived out practically.
These things put into practice daily means that one is walking before God in a righteous, godly way. Of course, never forget that He made us righteous through Christ alone, through His own grace and mercy. What we are dealing with in this Psalm is our personal responsibility with regard to godly character.
This particular Psalm has the connotation of being one of the most practical Psalms. There are very specific instructions regarding the righteous life contained therein.

1. The Question: Who stands righteously before God? (verse 1)

2. The First Answer: Those whose walk is righteous before God (Verse 2)
A. Live righteously before God by practicing righteousness
B. Live righteously before God by speaking righteously.

3. The Second Answer: Those whose walk is righteous before others (Verses 3-5a)
A. No gossiping
B. Treat others respectfully
C. No "digging up dirt" on your neighbor
D. Practice discernment
E. Keep your promises
F. Treat others fairly

The Results (Verse 5b):
The one who puts all these things in this Psalm into practice will know the blessings and presence of God. That person will have a clean conscience before God and man. You will not be moved from your foundation (Which in the New Testament understanding is Christ Himself.) You will be like the wise man who build his house upon the rock instead of the sand.