Personal Piety: A Direct Line to God

In the Book of Exodus, God descends from Mt. Sinai and delivers the Ten Commandments. Moses has tried to prepare the people for the event, but they are still scared by the celestial special effects:

When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance.

(Exodus 20:18)

They beg Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us, or we will die” (Exodus 20:19). Their request is fulfilled: God and the people have no direct contact. Rather, they speak to each other through Moses (and Aaron).

Compare this with Psalm 25:

Make me to know your ways,

O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy,

O Lord, and of your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins

of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,