“I hold fast to Your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame.” -Psalm 119:31
The irony is as we hold fast to the Lord, He has the better grip on us. Just as Peter could not save himself from drowning, the Lord Jesus took hold of him to save his life (Matthew 14:22-33). He will hold you fast- always. As His child He does not forsake, change His mind, or let go of us according to how we measure up on any given day. Isn’t that wonderful? To hold fast to God’s Word is the deep mystery of God’s Sovereignty and man’s will. He gives us the desire and understanding, but we must take care to cultivate this gift. It is where delight and discipline meet to fulfill our duty as His people. As we hold on to our dear Savior minute by minute through His revealed truth, He will not allow us to experience the great shame of His rejection. We are firmly His.
“Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through Your law.” -Psalm 119:29
The psalmist loves what God loves and hates what God hates. Deceit is lying, either to another or oneself. Here the psalmist does not want a false view of himself and mistakenly think his spiritual condition is better than what it actually is. People deceived in this way are blinded by their own spiritual pride. The psalmist is aware of this pitfall so he prays for the Lord to help him see his inner man rightly through the lens of the law. It is a grace for God to show us our sin so that we may return to Him in confession and repentance, restored in happy fellowship. In His loving-kindness our Father does not reveal all our hideous sin nature to us at once.
In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, there is a scene in which the miserable Eustace turns into a dragon after pursuing dragon-ish (sinful) desires. Aslan restores him back into a boy by tenderly though painfully taking off many dragon layers which Eustace was not able to accomplish on his own. God prunes our hearts in a similar way, so that as His disciples we will bear fruit. Through gradual understanding of His truth, He peels off our dragon layers one by one with the goal to make us look like Christ.
“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws.” -Psalm 119:30
The psalmist has prayed for God’s strength and grace in his pursuit of truth. Now he makes a bold declaration, a line in the sand, of where his allegiance lies. Only a changing heart can utter these words and mean it. This is the pilgrim’s banner. When we see God’s ways as good and even to be desired, instead of burdensome, His good work is taking root in us. There is sure to be fruit.
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.” -Psalm 119:28
This is a prayer verse dear to my heart. I have prayed this back to the Father in times of need. It is a helpful verse for the downcast Christian. The psalmist does not side-step his emotions by slapping a bandaid on it. He acknowledges his pain which only the Great Physician can heal. The psalmist has not lost hope, as he knows where to go for help. God’s Word is powerful, living, and active. It is the antidote needed for every dead soul. It is the medicine which binds the broken-hearted. Jesus our Living Word has promised that all He does will not return void (Isaiah 55:10-11; John 1:1-2; 14). He is faithfully at work in the one who echoes this prayer-verse. The more we study and pray over His Word is where we will find strength, with God’s gracious help.
“I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to Your Word.” -Psalm 119:25
We are made of dust and to dust we shall return. The psalmist is so low in spirit he feels as one already dead. Depression can feel like this. The intense pain or numbness makes one feel not fully alive, like the walking dead. He prays for the Lord to preserve him- to give him life to the full, not just a sad restless existence. The psalmist wants to truly live again.
“I recounted my ways and You answered me; teach me Your decrees.” -Psalm 119:26
The psalmist has told God his heart- confession and repentance. Now he looks for renewed fellowship with the Lord. He wants God to teach him His commands so that he might not stumble in sin. The psalmist loves God and His holiness. He hates his sin and does not want to repeat an offense.
“Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.” -Psalm 119:27
Here the psalmist pleads for more insight into the knowledge of God. This is where love and belief will grow. The psalmist desires to go deeper in fellowship with His Father. The way to do this is for the Lord to help him see and understand. He must then respond with obedience to what he has been taught.
These verses show how the Christian life moves through mountains, valleys and the in-between. If our faith is stagnant we are not growing. Even down in the pit of despair, maybe especially so, our roots are given an opportunity to grow deeper. God is ever faithful to provide exactly what we need- whether that be a trial to cultivate spiritual maturity, grace to sustain us through it, or a humble spirit to show us we were never in control. The Lord will complete His work in every believer (Philippians 1:6). Although we may not understand our sorrows at times, like the psalmist, these seasons can be used for God’s Glory and our eternal good if we endure. Jesus is holding fast to His beloved. He is holding fast to you.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything […} Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” -James 1:2-4; 12
Grace upon grace,
April
Further encouragement- This is one of my favorite hymns and appropriate with this post. I hope it blesses you as well. ‘He Will Hold Me Fast’ by Keith and Kristyn Getty
“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” -Psalm 119:24
What comfort we receive like the psalmist, from the Word of God. When the world around us crumbles, relationships sour, people disappoint and harm us, we know where to go to steady our hearts. In the tumbler of affliction and in green pastures, God will quiet our souls with His good Word filled with His promises, revealing His character, His ways, His counsel. What better Counselor has He given His children than His Blessed Holy Spirit? Truly God will never forsake us but especially in our peril. Those in Christ can never be separated from God ever again. The Living Word is taught to us by the Spirit. As He guides us along the Lord’s path, the Words of God are illuminated to our minds, becoming precious to us. The longer we walk with God the more we delight in His wisdom. Truly the soul in Christ is eternally rich.
“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.
“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.
redeemed in grace 