PSALM 25:14: “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.” NKJV
OBSERVATION: Do you know the secret of the Lord? Is this verse speaking of some hidden knowledge that only a few elite gain access to, or is it something else? The world is filled with spurious books and fringe cults who claim to be the only ones who know God’s secret. What does this verse mean?
This is one verse that is found in a complete Psalm written by David. This Psalm focuses on our need for God, our sinfulness, and His divine mercy. Here is a brief outline of the major points of this Psalm leading up to verse 14.
- Verses 1-2: A prayer for deliverance from our enemies.
- Verse 3: The reward of those who wait on the Lord
- Verses 4-5: A prayer asking God to teach us His way and reveal His path.
- Verses 6-7: A cry for God’s mercy and His covering over our sin.
- Verses 8-10: The nature of God and His faithfulness to lead the humble in the pathway of righteousness.
- Verse 11: A prayer of repentance seeking God’s pardon.
- Verses 12-13: The blessing of one who fears the Lord
- Verse 14: The secret of the Lord
There is nothing in the context of these verses that speak about some higher knowledge only for the elite or something that is unable to be known. The thoughts in verse 14 flow from a series of thoughts that recount our daily struggles, God’s faithfulness, and mercy, and our need for forgiveness. So, what is David speaking about when he writes about the secret of the Lord?
The word secret in the Hebrew language is ‘sod.’ It means council, counsel, assembly. The connotation is that it is the divine counsel of the Lord. The assembly is the Lord Himself – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the very presence of God wherein His will is revealed for our lives. This is not something that is hidden never to be known. Rather, it is given to those who enter into His presence through worship – the fear of the Lord!
Paul speaks of this very thing in the book of Romans.
- “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
Note the progression of thought that Paul develops and how this echos David’s Psalm.
- Paul speaks of the mercies of God.
- Paul calls us to a life of surrender and worship (the fear of the Lord).
- Paul calls us to repentance, cleansing, and sanctification.
- Paul invites us to discover the secret of the Lord – His good and acceptable and perfect will for our lives!
To fear the Lord is not to walk in timidity and to be afraid. To fear the Lord in the Bible is to give the place of worship, the very center of our lives and existence, to the Lord. It is to revere His holiness, love, mercy, faithfulness, and compassion. It is to offer our lives as living sacrifices in true worship and service. It is to put away the trappings of this life and enter into His presence to receive
His divine COUNSEL.
In His divine COUNCIL!
- “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV
David confirms that this is what He is speaking of when he writes what those who fear the Lord will receive as they enter into His council.
- “…And He will show them His covenant.”
The covenant of the Lord is everything that pertains to life and godliness that is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not called to seek out unknown and forbidden secrets like some treasure hunter looking for lost riches. We are called to seek out all the riches and glory in Christ Jesus! We are invited to the council of the Most High so that we can know Jesus and become like Him in every way.
The secret of the Lord is JESUS!
- “….That their (our) hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 NKJV
To know Jesus is to receive the secret of the Lord. It is only in Christ that we discover all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We can search for a lifetime to find things that no one else knows only to wind up empty-handed. Or, we can begin the exploration of a lifetime as we are invited into the council of the living God to discover all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ alone!
One leads us to speculation, error, and emptiness.
The latter leads us to eternal life!
Heavenly Father, I thank you that You have invited all those who will fear You to enter into the council of Your presence. I come, recognizing my need for forgiveness, in awe of Your mercy, and with anticipation as I desire to see Jesus. Grant me the grace to walk in a growing relationship and revelation with Jesus!
- “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:10 NKJV
In Jesus Name!
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