Learning the commandments seems more a matter of memorization than understanding, but the psalm doesn't ask for a better memory. It asks for understanding.
People often want faith to be a simple matter, and I regularly hear people say that things would be much better if we just did what it says in the Bible, if were returned to being a Christian nation, if we "got right with God." It couldn't be more simple, at least not until you get into the details. What's that saying about the devil being in the details?
I've always felt that if faith were a simple thing, if living as God's people were a simple thing, the Bible would be a pamphlet or brochure. As it is, the Bible sitting on my desk is over 2000 pages long. (The Catholic Bible is even lengthier than mine.) But even when you consider only a brief section of Scripture, the simple versus complex and nuanced issue can arise.
There have been a number of court cases in recent years regarding public display of the 10 Commandments. Those who support such displays argue that they are the basis for our civil laws and that we are a "Christian nation." But such arguments quickly founder when we actually examine the commandments. How does Sabbath keeping fit into a 24/7 culture, and what does idolatry have to do with civil law? Wrongful use of God's name is particularly problematic, and perhaps that is why people often trivialize this one into a prohibition against swearing. But if God is serious about us not invoking the Divine to further our own agendas, a lot of Christian political candidates are in deep trouble.
Even the second half of the commandments, those that correspond more easily to civil law, can create problems. The support of Newt Gingrich by some Christian Right pastors comes to mind here. And the one about not coveting anything that belongs to your neighbor would seem to undermine a basic motivation for the American consumerist culture.
But I don't mean to speak only against simplistic, conservative takes on faith. In my experience, most all of us tend to think that the articles of faith we hold dear are simple. Liberal, progressive, social justice Christians sometimes act as though there is nothing in the Bible but social justice. The disturbing fact is that Christians of all stripes like to simplify what being faithful means so that it fits neatly within the issues that motivate us.
Life is complicated. Relationships are complicated. Anyone who tells you they have life and relationships all figured out is likely delusional. Surely living in relationship with God is no different. Understand?
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