Read Psalm
119:49-104 & 1
Corinthians 4
To discover:
As you read note what
causes the psalmist to delight in God’s word.
To ponder:
Psalm 119
continues calling on God to remember his promise to act for those who obey his
law. It is in this that the psalmist has hoped and finds comfort in his
suffering. And so he declares that although mocked, he hasn’t turned from God’s
laws, which he even sings of, remembering God’s name. Moreover, he is angered
by the wicked (119v49-56). 119v57-64 then details his faith, which is a model
for our own: It is to have God as our “portion,” ie. the one we desire and
treasure like a portion of the promised land. It is to seek (ie. know, love,
trust and honour) him wholeheartedly, be speedy to obey, and a friend to others
who fear him. It is to be so taken up with his will, that we keep it when
oppressed (119v61, 69), and even wake in the night to give God thanks for it.
And so the psalmist asks that on the basis of God’s worldwide love and
goodness, he would give him his great desire by teaching him his decrees, and
with it knowledge and good judgement. He confesses that before his affliction
he went astray, but now delights in God’s law that he considers more precious
than the greatest treasure (119v64-72). He also concludes that God afflicted
him in faithfulness, probably as discipline to bring him to obedience. And he
knows God can grant him understanding of his commands, because God made him.
Moreover, he prays that by granting it, those who fear God would rejoice when
they see his hope in God’s word (perhaps expressed in his rule), and turn to
him (no doubt with allegiance). On the basis of his delight in God’s law, he
therefore asks God to show him compassion, and make him blameless so that he is
not shamed. By contrast, he also prays that his arrogant opponents would be
shamed for wronging him (119v73-80).
This whole section displays the
delight the believer has in God, his ways and in pleasing him with obedience.
We see this supremely in Jesus who came into the world to do the will of his
Father (Jn 4v34). It should cause us to beg God to teach us his ways too.
119v81-87 express the psalmist’s
longing for salvation, asking when God will punish his persecutors. In his
afflictions, he is like a leather wineskin which is being ruined by being hung
in smoke. In our afflictions, we can be tempted to sin in resentment or anger
at God for putting us through them. By contrast, the psalmist determines not to
forget God’s decrees and prays for God to preserve his life so that he might
continue to obey them. He goes on to liken God’s word of law and promise to his
word of creation (119v89-96). It stands firm and endures just as the heavens and
the earth do, and so God’s faithfulness continues, and his commands are
boundless in the sense that they do not pass away. Moreover, just as all
creation serves God, so his laws continue to demand obedience. It’s a reminder
that although we are under the new covenant, the principles behind God’s law
and promises remain binding, even though how exactly they apply to our context
as those in Christ may differ (see Matt 5v17-20).
At this point the psalmist can say
that if he hadn’t delighted in God’s law he would have perished in his
affliction. So God’s precepts had actually preserved his life (119v92-93). As
he still longs for deliverance, he probably means that obeying God’s law kept
him from responding to his circumstances in a way that was foolish and might
have increased his suffering. This would be why he goes on to declare God’s
commands made him wiser than his enemies – as well as teachers and elders
(119v98-100). It is for this reason that the psalmist declares how much he
loves God’s law that he meditates on all day, and how sweet it is to taste. And
it is for this reason that he keeps himself from evil in order to obey it
(119v101-104).
As the psalmist was probably one of Israel ’s
kings, the understanding the law gives him is not just about personal morality,
but also about how to rule his kingdom. Whenever we are tempted to consider
God’s commands harsh or restraining, we would do well to remember that they are
not only good but wise, keeping us at a personal level from foolish mistakes
that would harm us or others, but at a wider level too, providing principles
that can only enable our families, workplaces, communities and societies to
flourish. As Jesus, the incarnate wisdom of God said, the truth of his teaching
sets those who hold to it free (Jn 8v32).
Praying it
home:
Praise God for the
goodness and wisdom of his word. Pray that you delight in it as the psalmist
did.
Thinking
further:
None
today.
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