Particular Prepositions
Psalm 101
Many languages, at least languages that most Western cultures know, each one presents their own preposition proposition. Greek and Latin both have many of, if not most of their prepositions built into their nouns through case and declension. Many other of these languages have separate words for their prepositions. According to the Free Dictionary onlne in the English language there are 33 common prepositions and 35 words that are not so common as prepositions only, some also have other grammatical uses. In general prepositions convey movement or placement.
A Psalm of David.
I will sing mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
Psalms 101:1 GNV
Sing of mercy and of judgment. Singing a testimony ABOUT the Lord.
Unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. Singing TO God.
In our church services, Bible colleges, Christian schools, on Bible broadcasts, and across the Internet there are songs old and new that may rest in one of those two categories. Whether it's the older hymns like "Wonderful Grace Of Jesus" and "He Lives" or newer "In Christ Alone" and "How Deep The Father's love For Us", they are testimonies of who God is. From a singing TO God observation there are hymns like "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and "Holy, Holy, Holyl" or again more recent "Speak, O Lord" and "Your Glory Be Ever Known".
Looking at Psalm 101 we may also sing "Amazing Grace" (Sing of mercy and judgment.), then "Just As I Am". But instead of what we would typically think of singing to the Lord, here David writes other things he will do or does in his life that the Lord will be shown in his life, praised from the life he lives. It's interesting to think of singing this psalm, as a song I will sing to you. These other things in my life I will do are my way of singing to you. My life sings to you. To think of it yet another way, I am singing to you Lord of ways I will be holy for you are holy. Then reading, singing down the rest of this psalm, taking each thought to pause and meditate on how it really can be be a place to more than pause. Each could be pages of meditation in and of themselves. Consider:
Him that privily slandereth his neighbour, will I destroy: him that hath a proud look and high heart, I cannot suffer.
Psalms 101:5 GNV
Ponder... How does this play out in my life? When I sing it? How do I teach my children to do this?
Have I thoroughly thought through what I am singing? What I tell God I will do? How would Jesus mean this when He sang it?
Reading other similar psalms must ask, deep down the exact same thing, and womder if I have the same heart ast these writers.
To him that excelleth.
A Psalm to give instruction, committed to the sons of Korah.
As the hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God: when shall I come and appear before the presence of God?
Psalms 42:1-2 GNV
Is that truly the thirst of my heart, my soul? Or is it because of circumstances like this?
My bones are cut asunder, while mine enemies reproach me, saying daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? wait on God: for I wil yet give him thanks: he is my present helpk, and my God.
Psalms 42:10-11 GNV
But back to Psalm 101 I see in the end:
Betimes will I destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off all the workers of iniquity from the City of the Lord.
Psalms 101:8 GNV
It is so important to only learn at the end David appears to be writing as king. That helps in two ways. First to read David's thoughts as a person, as a man of God, every word. But then as king he has the positional ability to carry out assuring those who do not love the Lord have no part in coming before the Lord.
So are our words WITH God or TO God. Deeper yet is our heart a heart that truly sings ABOUT God or TO God? What are we willing to sing to God about what it is we will do?