(Verse 16) - Here we see the taking up of the second part of the discussion. To this point we have seen the discussion of the formalist, the ones who were merely outward in their observation of religion. We concluded that genuine religion is religion that springs from the heart.

In this second part of the Psalm the same thing is said of those who violate the very Law they profess to love. It is here we see more pointed criticism of the leadership of Israel as opposed to the average Israelite.  It is these who, under the guise of being teachers of religion, pursued a lifestyle wholly inconsistent with what they professed. This is hypocrisy. These are referred to as the "wicked".

They take their identity, in God's eyes, from their wickedness. As such. He asks them what right they have to teach His Word? By what authority do they even proclaim His Covenant? The idea is that they who deign to speak the holy oracles of God ought, nay. must themselves be holy. They who speak the pure Word of God must be of pure mind and heart themselves else they have no standing or right to speak. 

Hypocrisy of this level is both applicable and non-applicable to believers. It is non-applicable in that we are made righteous in Christ and have our standing in Him. We can never be those who profess to believe, yet do not. By definition, we are believers.

However, we can be guilty of hypocrisy in our behavior. This we must make the strictest guard against. It can easily become a reality in our lives. We must take care that we serve the Lord from the heart, in gratitude and gladness yielding the sacrifice of praise!

I must be sure that the words of my mouth are not contradicted by the actions of my life; something that has sadly been the case at times in the past.