The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. (Psalm 7:8)

The psalmist often asks God to judge others. An assertion of the psalmist's righteousness is not uncommon. But here the prayer is to be judged.

The criteria for judgement is righteousness (tsedeq) and integrity (tome).

Tsedeq is to be one's true self - purified self - the self that God intended. This is the self that expresses our origin in God's purpose and character.

Tome is to be whole, coherent, fulfilled, and completed. Tsedeq is our good beginning. Tome is our good ending.

Have I reclaimed my original purpose? Am I advancing toward my ultimate goal? O God, judge me and lead me.

Above is a self-portrait by Roy Hui, age 8, of Brisbane, Australia.