“Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep Your statutes.” -Psalm 119:22
The scorn and contempt from men is one thing to endure, but to experience this rejection from God would be unendurable. It is literally a living hell. This is why our Lord, rich in mercy, made a way for us to approach Him though we are sinful and undeserving. God sent His Son Jesus to take our rightful place under His wrath, so we never have to bear eternal scorn and contempt from our Lord. As severe as the Lord’s judgment is for the unrepentant sinner, His ocean of mercy washes over the redeemed saint. The contrast could not be greater. There is no middle of the road, no lukewarm setting, no compromising with God.
Our sins carry consequences, justly provoking the Lord in anger. This is why God gave us His commands to follow, to pursue holy living, reflecting His Spirit. It is not a design of legalism, but birthed from an intimate fellowship to please our Lord with how we live day by day. Even when we stumble, “men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (Lamentations 3:31-33). Great is God’s mercy over His beloved, elect children.
“You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from Your commands.” -Psalm 119:21
The proverb “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” is appropriate with this verse (Proverbs 16:18). The arrogant are indeed cursed, as they are separated from God eternally. Unless a soul is humbled and learns to walk in humility, their eyes will never be opened to see the need for God’s saving grace. Pride is the besetting sin to all others- it is in our sinful nature to the core. Our pride leads us away from the Lord’s commands, as we determine to do what is right in our own eyes. God must discipline the pride which bubbles up in His children too. He would not be loving if He didn’t faithfully address an area of refuse in our hearts. Yet for the unrepentant man who continually feeds on his hubris, God will outright reject him forever.
God is holy, requiring His children to walk in holiness. He will not be mocked. A true believer may wander off the Lord’s Way but God will graciously redirect his footsteps soon enough. Those whose hearts belong to God will not stay away from Him for long but learn to persevere, mortifying the deeds of the flesh. God uses our weaknesses and temptations to sanctify us for our eternal good and His Glory. Our faithful Father will lead His children by His Spirit.
“My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times.” -Psalm 119:20
As Christians we live in a world which is not as it should be. Even unbelievers recognize this, determined to create a utopian heaven on earth. Sin infects every person, even nature itself (Romans 8:19-23). Our only comfort, our only hope is God. He has revealed Himself through the Living Written Word. His fingerprints touch all of creation, masterfully crafting each sunset; forming the majestic elephant and all creeping things; designing every set of DNA for human life. Nothing is insignificant to our Master or escapes His eye. This is our wonderful blessing in beholding our God- all powerful, all loving, infinite and incomprehensible. Why would we want to worship anything less?
The love of self often gains the throne of hearts, which is why the psalmist sees God’s laws, His revealed Presence, as essential for survival. Without them he is undone and life is truly meaningless. Yet God is faithful to draw near to those who seek Him (Isaiah 55:6-7). Let God’s ways and goodness consume you. Dwell in His mercy today.
“I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.” -Psalm 119:19
Like a foreigner in a strange land, we need guideposts- a map to direct our journey. We may learn the language, culture, and people of where we are but it should never cause us to forget our Homeland Heavenward. This is why the psalmist asks for God to keep His revealed truth near to him, lest he forget and become like a native. No, we must remain separate, set apart as God’s holy vessels. Assimilation is compromising. Just like the Israelites were commanded to not intermarry with foreigners who worshipped idols, we too must worship God alone. He commands it as the first and second commandments (Exodus 20:3-6).
When Ezra the priest read the Law of Moses before the people they wept. The Israelites had wandered far and needed a spiritual revival. This is the danger as strangers in a world that does not naturally worship their Creator. But God is faithful to teach His people and help them on their pilgrim journey. The Lord will seek the sheep which stray, but how much better to remain within the sheep pen remembering God’s good commands.
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.” -Psalm 119:18
Most of these verses can be stand alone prayers, like this one. The psalmist cries out for sharpened spiritual sight. It is one thing to peer through a peep-hole into a beautiful room full of riches that takes our breath away. But when the small view gives way to an open door, our access and vision has just been enlarged. This is what it is like to go deeper into God’s storehouse of treasure. This is what the psalmist desires. He knows the laws of God are worth infinitely more than baubles of diamonds and rubies. The wisdom of God is eternal. It is something we take with us when He calls us Home, unlike earthly treasure which must stay behind. Whatever the Holy Spirit teaches us now is for our profit while on our pilgrim journey. It will also be to our credit by living out the wisdom He has bestowed on us. God will be faithful to give us more if we are faithful with what we have already been given.
“Do good to Your servant, and I will live; I will obey Your Word.” -Psalm 119:17
If we have nothing to live for, our hopes dashed, then a sorrowful existence hangs about our neck like a millstone. The psalmist wants a life of zeal and purpose while God gives him breath. Where does such blessing lie? In seeing and experiencing the goodness of God. God is always good. We may not understand how this is true especially when we do not get something we want or experience more of the harsher reality sin’s curse has brought upon this world. How do we know God is still good in spite of the pain of sin? He sent His Son Jesus to pay our sin debt so that one day when we awake to see Christ face to face there will be no sin to taint our hearts. Yes, God is good all the time because His mercy is bigger than the oceans yet sufficient with one drop toward redeemed sinners. Therefore, in light of who God is and what He has done for a soul so unworthy, our response should be a desire to obey Him. Like the psalmist we pray to obey as our worship, becoming a daily living sacrifice before God’s Throne of mercy.
Grace upon grace,
April
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship.” -Romans 12:1
“Do good to Your servant, and I will live; I will obey Your Word.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.
I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.
My soul is consumed with longing for Your law at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from Your commands.
Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep Your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your servant will meditate on Your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.”
Psalm 119:17-24 (Gimel)
This portion is a prayer for the Lord’s quickening- a personal spiritual revival. The psalmist knows what is good for him to truly live as God intended- by following His ways. He asks the Father to give him spiritual vision, an understanding of the law. As we grow in knowledge of God’s Word we are equipped to navigate life’s perilous trials, discern minute decisions, and rightly enjoy God’s blessings. The psalmist has a desire to live in holiness because he loves his God.
Even when he is persecuted for seeking God, the psalmist resolves to persevere in the Lord’s commands because he has experienced God’s love and mercy. He can trust his Father with perfect justice. The Lord will also tether us to Himself through His Word. He holds you fast even when slanderers come. God is our home in a foreign land. He will counsel you as you meditate on His truth. In the interim of his pilgrimage, the psalmist finds solace in going to the words of God. To the psalmist it is like finding a piece of home in a strange land. This is our comfort too- Christ is always near.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.
I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.
I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees.
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth.
I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.
I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word.”
Psalm 119:9-16 (Beth)
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth. (verse 13)
Remembering- this is the key for the Christian to persevere. We recount God’s faithfulness to mankind through His redemptive work on the cross; we recount God’s faithfulness to us individually through the life story He weaves for us; we remember God’s laws and His promises. Do not forget what God has done, is doing now and what He will not fail to do in the future. Remember and tell others the wonders of our Lord.
I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. (verse 14)
When we find the Pearl of Great Price, naturally there is rejoicing. The riches of God are true but require faith and patience to take hold of. In Christ the believer is rich and has everything he needs. Yet these riches are not the material possessions the world treasures. To be rich in the Lord first means you have found forgiveness of your sins, eternal peace and fellowship with God through Jesus. Second it means that the Lord will be faithful to help extract you from the vanities of this world. We begin to truly see for the first time, our satisfaction, joy and purpose is in God alone. Thirdly, it means Jesus will give us Himself to imitate as He tenderly guides us on our pilgrimage. He gives us His fruit to cultivate in our own hearts which slowly manifests in our thoughts, speech and actions over the course of a lifetime. So be deeply happy Christian- Jesus is yours and you are His. No person was ever richer than the one who belongs to God.
I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. (verse 15)
To meditate and consider a matter is wise. Such a thoughtful person will look at an argument from all sides weighing the outcomes. When we study God’s Word we cannot approach it as a purely academic exercise. One will only gain head knowledge, neglecting to allow the words of God affect their hearts. This is where change takes place, in the inner man. We need God’s Spirit to help us know how to think about Him and His will. Our prayer each day can sound like David’s psalm, “Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long (Psalm 25:4-5). How can we know the path He has charted for all His children? Look to the Scriptures. The King’s royal words are true and for our own good. They will not fail you because God will never fail you.
I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word. (verse 16)
To delight and neglect are opposite in desire. We delight in what we hold dear, our treasures, our hopes and interests. We neglect what seems dull, hard or irrelevant- it does not captivate us at all. This is the challenge placed before each child of God. We can go to Him, asking for His help in our unbelief, when our faith is shaken or stagnant. The more we read and comprehend truth, the more our belief and love contain the proper nutrients to grow. The flame of our heart’s desire will burn brightly as discipline welcomes delight in the duty of seeking the Lord our God.
Who is God in this passage? (Psalm 119:9-16 Beth)
God is our Teacher. He helps His children live according to His Word. His Spirit ignites the flame of love and belief in our hearts. God says to seek Him and love Him above all else because He knows that HE is the very best for us. The Lord is the Pearl of Great Price.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.
I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.
I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees.
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth.
I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.
I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word.”
Psalm 119:9-16 (Beth)
Verse 9 is the main question for the rest of this octave. The psalmist shows how our faith is to be daily active and very practical. Christians are called to reflect the beauty of God’s commands, His holiness, and His character. This is what it means to become like Christ.
The psalmist lists a number of actions to take as believers discipline themselves under the delight of doing God’s will. Most of the actions are things we do positively in pursuing a life according to God’s Word. But there are negative activities we must avoid as well, as a resolve to not displease the Lord:
I seek You with all my heart; (verse 10a)
This is a positive action. Do I seek God each day with all my heart? Is He my treasure and delight? (Deuteronomy 6:5)
do not let me stray from Your commands. (verse 10b)
A plea to not let the psalmist stray from the truth. Our hearts are prone to wander, looking for love, identity, or satisfaction in someone or something other than our Heavenly Father (Isaiah 55:6-7).
I have hidden Your Word in my heart (verse 11a)
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is a result of treasuring Scripture. When we love His Book we learn more about God- who is He? who am I? The Bible tells me I am a sinner saved by the blood of Jesus. He is patiently and tenderly transforming His saints by His grace, through the help of the Holy Spirit.
that I might not sin against You. (verse 11b)
A desire not to sin blossoms from a regenerate heart as he gazes intently on God’s law. He sees how he has fallen short, failed God, but is also aware of the great cost to win us back into fellowship with Him. The deep deep love of the Father sent His Son Jesus to pay the price meant for us. Christ inherited our just judgement, we inherited merciful righteousness. Pray we will not grieve the Spirit over careless words, thoughts and actions!
Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. (verse 12)
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher. The psalmist did not have this permanent blessing as we do today. Praise You Father for this wonderful gift! Anything we learn from His Word is because God has graciously revealed it to us. The Lord gives us eyes to see, ears to hear, a soft heart to respond and obey. As He teaches, our love for Him will grow. Bless You Father.
“I will obey Your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” -Psalm 119:8
As the psalmist sees the beauty and goodness in seeking God’s ways, he asks the Lord to not abandon him. He is needy for God’s help, recognizing he cannot love or obey in his own strength. What a tender picture of this man of stature (possibly even a king if David penned this psalm), to reveal his childlike dependence on God. What else do we have to bring to the Lord but our sin and our need? God has promised in His Word to never forsake His own (Deuteronomy 31:6; 8; Hebrews 13:5). Not only will our Father never forsake us but He fights for His children as well. The believer is not to fear. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). God equips His saints to battle personal sin, Satan and the secular world. He is faithful to guide His little lambs to walk in obedience. His love will not fail us. With God on our side we shall do valiantly.
redeemed in grace 