Christian Devotionals: November 2023

^{^[1]} MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments (A. Farstad, Ed.; p. 748). Thomas Nelson.

¹Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

Who walk in the law of the Lord!

²Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,

Who seek Him with the whole heart!

³They also do no iniquity;

They walk in His ways.

⁴You have commanded us

To keep Your precepts diligently.

⁵Oh, that my ways were directed

To keep Your statutes!

⁶Then I would not be ashamed,

When I look into all Your commandments.

⁷I will praise You with uprightness of heart,

When I learn Your righteous judgments.

⁸I will keep Your statutes;

Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

⁹How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

¹⁰With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

¹¹Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

¹²Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.

¹³With my lips I have declared

All the judgments of Your mouth.

¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

¹⁵I will meditate on Your precepts,

And contemplate Your ways.

¹⁶I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.

¹⁷Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word.

¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may see

Wondrous things from Your law.

¹⁹I am a stranger in the earth;

Do not hide Your commandments from me.

²⁰My soul breaks with longing

For Your judgments at all times.

²¹You rebuke the proud—the cursed,

Who stray from Your commandments.

²²Remove from me reproach and contempt,

For I have kept Your testimonies.

²³Princes also sit and speak against me,

But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

²⁴Your testimonies also are my delight

And my counselors.

²⁵My soul clings to the dust;

Revive me according to Your word.

²⁶I have declared my ways, and You answered me;

Teach me Your statutes.

²⁷Make me understand the way of Your precepts;

So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.

²⁸My soul melts from heaviness;

Strengthen me according to Your word.

²⁹Remove from me the way of lying,

And grant me Your law graciously.

³⁰I have chosen the way of truth;

Your judgments I have laid before me.

³¹I cling to Your testimonies;

O Lord, do not put me to shame!

³²I will run the course of Your commandments,

For You shall enlarge my heart.

³³Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall keep it to the end.

³⁴Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

³⁵Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.

³⁶Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

And not to covetousness.

³⁷Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,

And revive me in Your way.

³⁸Establish Your word to Your servant,

Who is devoted to fearing You.

³⁹Turn away my reproach which I dread,

For Your judgments are good.

⁴⁰Behold, I long for Your precepts;

Revive me in Your righteousness.

⁴¹Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—

Your salvation according to Your word.

⁴²So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,

For I trust in Your word.

⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

⁴⁴So shall I keep Your law continually,

Forever and ever.

⁴⁵And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.

⁴⁶I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,

And will not be ashamed.

⁴⁷And I will delight myself in Your commandments,

Which I love.

⁴⁸My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,

Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.

⁴⁹Remember the word to Your servant,

Upon which You have caused me to hope.

⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction,

For Your word has given me life.

⁵¹The proud have me in great derision,

Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

⁵²I remembered Your judgments of old,

O Lord,

And have comforted myself.

⁵³Indignation has taken hold of me

Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.

⁵⁴Your statutes have been my songs

In the house of my pilgrimage.

⁵⁵I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,

And I keep Your law.

⁵⁶This has become mine,

Because I kept Your precepts.

⁵⁷You are my portion, O Lord;

I have said that I would keep Your words.

⁵⁸I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;

Be merciful to me according to Your word.

⁵⁹I thought about my ways,

And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

⁶⁰I made haste, and did not delay

To keep Your commandments.

⁶¹The cords of the wicked have bound me,

But I have not forgotten Your law.

⁶²At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,

Because of Your righteous judgments.

⁶³I am a companion of all who fear You,

And of those who keep Your precepts.

⁶⁴The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;

Teach me Your statutes.

⁶⁵You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.

⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

For I believe Your commandments.

⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

⁶⁸You are good, and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.

⁶⁹The proud have forged a lie against me,

But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.

⁷⁰Their heart is as fat as grease,

But I delight in Your law.

⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.

⁷²The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

⁷³Your hands have made me and fashioned me;

Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

⁷⁴Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,

Because I have hoped in Your word.

⁷⁵I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

⁷⁶Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,

According to Your word to Your servant.

⁷⁷Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;

For Your law is my delight.

⁷⁸Let the proud be ashamed,

For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;

But I will meditate on Your precepts.

⁷⁹Let those who fear You turn to me,

Those who know Your testimonies.

⁸⁰Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,

That I may not be ashamed.

⁸¹My soul faints for Your salvation,

But I hope in Your word.

⁸²My eyes fail from searching Your word,

Saying, “When will You comfort me?”

⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,

Yet I do not forget Your statutes.

⁸⁴How many are the days of Your servant?

When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?

⁸⁵The proud have dug pits for me,

Which is not according to Your law.

⁸⁶All Your commandments are faithful;

They persecute me wrongfully;

Help me!

⁸⁷They almost made an end of me on earth,

But I did not forsake Your precepts.

⁸⁸Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,

So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

⁸⁹Forever, O Lord,

Your word is settled in heaven.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

You established the earth, and it abides.

⁹¹They continue this day according to Your ordinances,

For all are Your servants.

⁹²Unless Your law had been my delight,

I would then have perished in my affliction.

⁹³I will never forget Your precepts,

For by them You have given me life.

⁹⁴I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.

⁹⁵The wicked wait for me to destroy me,

But I will consider Your testimonies.

⁹⁶I have seen the consummation of all perfection,

But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

⁹⁷Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

⁹⁸You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;

For they are ever with me.

⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers,

For Your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients,

Because I keep Your precepts.

¹⁰¹I have restrained my feet from every evil way,

That I may keep Your word.

¹⁰²I have not departed from Your judgments,

For You Yourself have taught me.

¹⁰³How sweet are Your words to my taste,

Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴Through Your precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

¹⁰⁶I have sworn and confirmed

That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much;

Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

¹⁰⁸Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,

And teach me Your judgments.

¹⁰⁹My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Your law.

¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.

¹¹¹Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,

For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

¹¹²I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes

Forever, to the very end.

¹¹³I hate the double-minded,

But I love Your law.

¹¹⁴You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in Your word.

¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers,

For I will keep the commandments of my God!

¹¹⁶Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;

And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

¹¹⁷Hold me up, and I shall be safe,

And I shall observe Your statutes continually.

¹¹⁸You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,

For their deceit is falsehood.

¹¹⁹You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross;

Therefore I love Your testimonies.

¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of You,

And I am afraid of Your judgments.

¹²¹I have done justice and righteousness;

Do not leave me to my oppressors.

¹²²Be surety for Your servant for good;

Do not let the proud oppress me.

¹²³My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation

And Your righteous word.

¹²⁴Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,

And teach me Your statutes.

¹²⁵I am Your servant; Give me understanding,

That I may know Your testimonies.

¹²⁶It is time for You to act, O Lord,

For they have regarded Your law as void.

¹²⁷Therefore I love Your commandments

More than gold, yes, than fine gold!

¹²⁸Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.

¹²⁹Your testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore my soul keeps them.

¹³⁰The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.

¹³¹I opened my mouth and panted,

For I longed for Your commandments.

¹³²Look upon me and be merciful to me,

As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.

¹³³Direct my steps by Your word,

And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴Redeem me from the oppression of man,

That I may keep Your precepts.

¹³⁵Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statutes.

¹³⁶Rivers of water run down from my eyes,

Because men do not keep Your law.

¹³⁷Righteous are You, O Lord,

And upright are Your judgments.

¹³⁸Your testimonies, which You have commanded,

Are righteous and very faithful.

¹³⁹My zeal has consumed me,

Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.

¹⁴⁰Your word is very pure;

Therefore Your servant loves it.

¹⁴¹I am small and despised,

Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

¹⁴²Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

And Your law is truth.

¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,

Yet Your commandments are my delights.

¹⁴⁴The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;

Give me understanding, and I shall live.

¹⁴⁵I cry out with my whole heart;

Hear me, O Lord!

I will keep Your statutes.

¹⁴⁶I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.

¹⁴⁷I rise before the dawning of the morning,

And cry for help; I hope in Your word.

¹⁴⁸My eyes are awake through the night watches,

That I may meditate on Your word.

¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;

O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.

¹⁵⁰They draw near who follow after wickedness;

They are far from Your law.

¹⁵¹You are near, O Lord,

And all Your commandments are truth.

¹⁵²Concerning Your testimonies,

I have known of old that You have founded them forever.

¹⁵³Consider my affliction and deliver me,

For I do not forget Your law.

¹⁵⁴Plead my cause and redeem me;

Revive me according to Your word.

¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked,

For they do not seek Your statutes.

¹⁵⁶Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord;

Revive me according to Your judgments.

¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my enemies,

Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.

¹⁵⁸I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,

Because they do not keep Your word.

¹⁵⁹Consider how I love Your precepts;

Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.

¹⁶⁰The entirety of Your word is truth,

And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

¹⁶¹Princes persecute me without a cause,

But my heart stands in awe of Your word.

¹⁶²I rejoice at Your word

As one who finds great treasure.

¹⁶³I hate and abhor lying,

But I love Your law.

¹⁶⁴Seven times a day I praise You,

Because of Your righteous judgments.

¹⁶⁵Great peace have those who love Your law,

And nothing causes them to stumble.

¹⁶⁶Lord, I hope for Your salvation,

And I do Your commandments.

¹⁶⁷My soul keeps Your testimonies,

And I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,

For all my ways are before You.

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before You, O Lord;

Give me understanding according to Your word.

¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before You;

Deliver me according to Your word.

¹⁷¹My lips shall utter praise,

For You teach me Your statutes.

¹⁷²My tongue shall speak of Your word,

For all Your commandments are righteousness.

¹⁷³Let Your hand become my help,

For I have chosen Your precepts.

¹⁷⁴I long for Your salvation, O Lord,

And Your law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;

And let Your judgments help me.

¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep;

Seek Your servant,

For I do not forget Your commandments.

Preamble

Psalm 119 by far the longest of all the psalms. And unlike so many of the Psalms that are written as songs, prayers, and poems of passion etc. Psalm 119 is very deliberate in its approach of how it brings forth the Word of God to us, using a formula where each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order begins the next section of Scripture, and each verse in that section. There are then 176 verses in this Psalm, with twenty-two sections, (with eight verses in each section), in this most magnificent Psalm. Enjoy it!

Commentary

Section 1 vs. 1-8

Vs. 1 “Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

Who walk in the law of the Lord!”

The Psalm opens with a declaration of a state of blessedness (or happiness) that comes to all who are undefiled in the way; that is who keep to the Word of God; who walk in the law of the Lord. Now for us as Christians this means keeping God’s unchanging moral precepts and commandments. For look around you and see that people who live sinful lives have (or will have) much sadness, sorrow, and regret.

Vs. 2 “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,

Who seek Him with the whole heart!”

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, for truly God’s blessing comes to all who keep His Word! Who seek Him with their whole heart is His imperative to us. Thus, not half heartedly do we seek nor follow the Lord, but diligently, passionately, always looking out for where He is leading us.

Vs. 3 “They also do no iniquity;

They walk in His ways.”

When one walks closely with the Lord one’s life becomes more and more pure. Sin that was once glossed over now becomes utterly repulsive. Again, this begins by walking in His ways. Making a choice to believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments is how discipleship begins.

Vs. 4 “You have commanded us

To keep Your precepts diligently.”

When the Lord gives us His precepts, they are give for our and others well being, Therefore they are to be kept by us diligently. Thus, when we error in them, we make confession and correction. This is our duty to Him then to carry on with Him in our battle against the sin that so easily ensnares us.

Vs. 5-6 ⁵Oh, that my ways were directed

To keep Your statutes!

⁶Then I would not be ashamed,

When I look into all Your commandments.

Sadly, what is true in our hearts is not always true in our lives. And the Psalm now reveals this about us, that though we desire to keep God’s statutes we often fail in doing so, thus when we look into God’s commandments there can be a sense of shame rather than victory. Now how one deals with this will say much about them and their faith, because ultimately, we will never get beyond needing Christ’s Righteousness imputed to us and His Intercession for us before God (Heb. 4:14-16).

Vs. 7 “I will praise You with uprightness of heart,

When I learn Your righteous judgments.”

There is a great delight that comes when studying the Word of God, when one discovers His truths and how He so justly and righteously deals with all! And so, it is when one learns His righteousness judgments, (that is brings them into their life) they will praise Him with uprightness of heart.

Vs. 8 “I will keep Your statutes;

Oh, do not forsake me utterly!”

Discovering God’s truths in His Word drives us all the more to want to keep His statutes, that said there is our own realization that we cannot keep them perfectly, God’s statues are perfect but we are not, and thus we can feel more worthy of judgment then acceptance. Growing then in the grace of God is the answer.

Section 2 vs. 9-16

Vs. 9 “How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.”

Youth is a most exciting time, as well as a dangerous time if one is naive, for only God’s Word stands strong and will make one stand strong against all the lies and deceptions of this world that always promotes and then denies the consequences of sin. Therefore, by heeding God's Word, and keeping it close to one’s heart the young person will have a fortress against all the destructive influences in this life.

Vs. 10 “With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!”

Seeking the Lord God with all of one’s heart is how one will find Him. And when one finds Him, one will see the great wisdom in keeping His commandments. That said human desire must always be enabled by God's Spirit in order to be effective for Him.

Vs. 11 “Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.”

Like verse nine this is another gem of instructive wisdom. Now to hide God’s Word in one’s heart is to keep it near and dear to us, ready to guide our steps through this life by it, because in this life everything will point you away from Him and back to sin.

Vs. 12 “Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.”

Every child of God feels an overwhelming desire to bless the Lord! And in receiving the Lord Jesus Christ every born-again child of God willingly and eagerly wants to learn the Word of God.

Vs. 13 “With my lips I have declared

All the judgments of Your mouth.”

Having learned the Word of God our desire is to declare it to one and to all, to preach, teach, and evangelize for Christ is then our passion and our purpose in this life.

Vs. 14 ¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

Great delight do we have when we read God’s testimonies, when we consider His ways, His Works, His dealings with us all. For there is an honest rejoicing that springs up inside of us who believe in Christ when we see His ways enacted in this life! Such then is our joy for Him even as for great riches!

Vs. 15 “I will meditate on Your precepts,

And contemplate Your ways.”

Meditation and contemplation on God’s Word, on His precepts, on His ways is how one grows in their faith and understanding of Him, (2 Peter 2:2-3).

Vs. 16 “I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.”

We delight ourselves in God’s statutes for they bring forth righteousness and truth. Therefore, I will not forget Your Word.

Section 3 vs. 17-24

Vs. 17 “Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word.”

Knowing that we cannot keep God’s Word in our own strength there is always times of supplications, always times of prayers to Him when we are completely dependent upon Him for His grace and His merciful kindness. For it is God’s bountiful grace that always keeps us moving forward in faith.

Vs. 18 “Open my eyes, that I may see

Wondrous things from Your law.”

Another gem that has been prayed by many. For truly it is only God who can open our eyes so that we can see the many wonderous things from His law (i.e., Word). Our understanding then always begins with the Lord our God not us.

Vs. 19 “I am a stranger in the earth;

Do not hide Your commandments from me.”

When one belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ one becomes a stranger in this world, to all those of it (John 15:19), because all that God stands for in His Word, this world and its ruler hates (Rev. 12:17). And yet it is by the Word of God that we who do believe in Him are sanctified (John 17:14-16), therefore we desire to know His commandments more and more (Isaiah 26:9; Rev. 14:12)

Vs. 20 “My soul breaks with longing

For Your judgments at all times.”

Our souls long for the Word of God for every deep need of ours is met through it.

Vs. 21 “You rebuke the proud—the cursed,

Who stray from Your commandments.”

Just as God upholds all who keep His Word, so He rebukes the proud, the cursed, who stray from His commandments.

Vs. 22 “Remove from me reproach and contempt,

For I have kept Your testimonies.”

This is our burden that we bear down here, the reproach and contempt of all of those who scorn God’s commandments. A Christian who purifies their life will be scorned and ridiculed, we will be held in contempt by those who live by their fleshes lusts and desires (consider Prov. 29:27; 1 Peter 4:1-6). The prayer here then is for God’s Favor and Help, For we have kept Your testimonies.

Vs. 23 “Princes also sit and speak against me,

But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.”

And its not just people who are of a low degree who will oppose and hate us, for even dignitaries and rulers will find cause against us because we keep God’s Word. Nonetheless we are not moved from God’s Word by them, instead we look deeper into it, for we know that He is with us.

Vs. 24 “Your testimonies also are my delight

And my counselors.”

Gods’ testimonies are our delight and our counselors. Therefore we turn away from the Godless values and morals of this world, all the Godless counsels and works of it, for through God's Word we have light and life and we are delighted by Him!

Section 4 vs. 25-32

Vs. 25 “My soul clings to the dust;

Revive me according to Your word.”

The prayer here for recovery from deep sadness or despair; maybe born out of some kind of personal tragedy or loss. Now because we know the Word of God, we can ask Him to revive us according to it.

Vs. 26 “I have declared my ways, and You answered me;

Teach me Your statutes.”

The declaring of one’s ways here is not “self justification” before Him, but rather of making honest confession to Him, of laying it all out before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and now trusting Him for deliverance from it. And with that we now find a renewed desire to learn and keep His statutes.

Vs. 27 “Make me understand the way of Your precepts;

So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.”

God’s precepts are given to guide us in all circumstances of our lives. Praying for an understanding of how to apply them is foundational to using them rightly in our lives. And that is our desire to understand God’s precepts so that we can rightly apply them. Now as we see how they apply in our lives, and how they bring positive effects to us and to all, we will mediate on His wonderful works, more and more. Application and contemplation then forwards our spiritual growth!

Vs. 28 “My soul melts from heaviness;

Strengthen me according to Your word.”

During times of troubles, the comforting power of the Word of God is every believer’s refuge, for by His Word and Promises we are strengthened and renewed.

Vs. 29 “Remove from me the way of lying,

And grant me Your law graciously.”

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, (Prov. 12:22; Rev. 12:22), everyone then who believes in Him has a holy hatred of all lies and all forms of deception (Psalm 120:2). That said, the prayer here is that God would not only remove from us all forms of lies and deceptions from us, but He would grant us His law graciously, that is with much grace, favor, and understanding of our own limitations.

Vs. 30 “I have chosen the way of truth;

Your judgments I have laid before me.”

When one chooses God’s Word, they have chosen the way of truth (vs. 142, 151; John 17:17). His judgments are found in all of his commandments, and by walking in them one walks in the way of truth.

Vs. 31 “I cling to Your testimonies;

O Lord, do not put me to shame!”

The faithful believer will cling to God’s testimonies, even in the face of hostile opposition, even so we realize our own limitations and we need His grace and mercy.

Vs. 32 “I will run the course of Your commandments,

For You shall enlarge my heart.”

Our desire to keep God’s commandments is not an intellectual one, but our hearts desire that grows more and more as God gives us more and more love for His Word.

Section 5 vs. 33-40

Vs. 33 “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall keep it to the end.”

Once again, this most beautiful psalm exudes with passion for the Word of God. And here there is an unshakable desire to learn the Word of God and keep it to the end.

Vs. 34 “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

Learning the Word of God is one thing, but understanding its truths is something only God’s Holy Spirit can give us (1 John 2:27). And this begins by first receiving the Word of God Himself the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1), for when one does one will then have a passion for keeping God’s Word.

Vs. 35 “Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.”

From learning to understanding to now walking in God’s commandments there is a deep desire in us to do God’s Word.

Vs. 36 “Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

And not to covetousness.”

The prayer here is that God would keep our hearts focus on His testimonies and not incline us towards covetousness, as which often happens to those who are only half heartily devoted to Him, who then find all kinds of idols to try to satisfy themselves with. Remember the Lord Jesus’ warning, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” ^{Matt.
6:24 NKJ}

Vs. 37 “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,

And revive me in Your way.”

The thought continues in this verse, for when the eyes is bad, as it is a window to the soul, one will desire all kinds of worthless things, things which cannot profit or deliver for they are nothing (1 Samuel 16:7). Therefore, the Psalmist asks God to revive them in His way, and to turn him far away from worldly and worthless things.

Vs. 38 “Establish Your word to Your servant,

Who is devoted to fearing You.”

God’s Word is invoked and established for all who fear Him. Every promise and every blessing comes to us by believing Him.

Vs. 39 “Turn away my reproach which I dread,

For Your judgments are good.”

Having a healthily dread (or fear) of one’s own reproach (i.e., shame) is what turns our hearts to God’s judgments, for they are good, and they will guide our hearts away from our fleshes weaknesses.

Vs. 40 “Behold, I long for Your precepts;

Revive me in Your righteousness.”

Longing for God’s precepts the Psalmist also prays for God’s revival of his person in His righteousness. We then should follow the same. For it is God’s righteousness, not this worlds, that we who believe in Him seek to follow.

Section 6 vs. 41-48

Vs. 41 “Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—

Your salvation according to Your word.”

We pray for the Lord's mercies and His salvation according to His Word, not mans.

Vs. 42 “So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,

For I trust in Your word.”

God’s salvation of our person is our defense in the day that man reproaches us. For His Word is what we trust in (Psalm 34:21-22).

Vs. 43 “And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

For I have hoped in Your ordinances.”

Being saved by the Word of God we do not want to lose it. For our desire now is to keep the word of God in our lives and speak it with our mouths. The prayer here is then that we not lose the ability to bear witness to it, for I have hoped in Your ordinances.

Vs. 44 “So shall I keep Your law continually,

Forever and ever.”

Hoping in God’s ordinances leads one to wanting to keep them, forever and ever.

Vs. 45 “And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.”

Walking at liberty is freedom from having to be conformed to this world, being free from trying to have its favor. Therefore, we don’t seek this world’s approval, rather we seek God’s precepts which keep us free from sin and all self destructive things.

Vs. 46 “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,

And will not be ashamed.”

Great boldness and conviction to speak and do what is right comes to all who believe the Gospel. Bearing bold witness of the Lord Jesus Christ before kings is our God given duty and right.

Vs. 47 “And I will delight myself in Your commandments,

Which I love.”

When one is born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ God’s commandments become one’s delight! Indeed, the entire Word of God, the Bible, is the Book that we love.

Vs. 48 “My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,

Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.”

The raising of our hands in worship is now seen as a gesture of our delight in God’s commandments, for it is His commandments which we love and desire to meditate upon.

Section 7 vs. 49-56

Vs. 49 “Remember the word to Your servant,

Upon which You have caused me to hope.”

Calling on God to remember His Word which He has caused us to hope upon is our asking Him to remember His covenant and promises to us who believe in Him to which we now belong.

Vs. 50 “This is my comfort in my affliction,

For Your word has given me life.”

Knowing God’s Promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us is our comfort in our affliction, for it is by His Word that He has given us love, hope, and life, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Vs. 51 “The proud have me in great derision,

Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.”

It is always the proud, the cursed (vs. 21), who watch us and hate us, who persecute the children of God. For they will always and instinctively seek to trouble and unsettle us who believe in Christ. Nonetheless we are not driven away from God’s Word by them, rather we draw closer to Him through His Word.

Vs. 52 “I remembered Your judgments of old,

O Lord,

And have comforted myself.”

Great solace due we find in recalling God’s judgments, when we remember how He delivered His people, and now us, and how He has promised to deal with us. Every believer then has great comfort in knowing their life is in His hands and our future is secure with Him.

Vs. 53 “Indignation has taken hold of me

Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.”

We who believe the Word of God have great indignation when we see the wicked forsake the Word of God, who treat it with contempt, and scorn it by their debased and defiled lives.

Vs. 54 “Your statutes have been my songs

In the house of my pilgrimage.”

While we are away from our heavenly home in this world, God’s statutes have been our delight, our songs which we sing, songs which comfort our souls, for they have real depth and meaning.

Vs. 55 “I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,

And I keep Your law.”

Remembering the Lord Jesus Christ’s Glorious Name in our night watches reinvigorates us to want to keep His Word, for it is by His Name and Word that we are saved, and we have been changed.

Vs. 56 “This has become mine,

Because I kept Your precepts.”

Salvation is only by God’s grace. Therefore it came to us not because we were good enough, or did enough, or gave enough, it came to us because we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel. Therefore, God has now imputed Christ's Righteousness to us all who believe in Him. God’s salvation then is the reason we now strive to keep His precepts, because we love Him and have His Spirit within us.

Section 8 vs. 57-64

Vs. 57 “You are my portion, O Lord;

I have said that I would keep Your words.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is my portion, my inheritance, my riches, everything else in this life is fleeting and temporary, and my even be taken away from us, but only the Lord and His salvation endures forever, therefore my greatest loyalty rests with Him. Keeping His Word then is my heart's desire.

Vs. 58 “I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;

Be merciful to me according to Your word.”

Seeking our Lord’s favor with our whole heart opens the door of His bountifully mercies to us.

Vs. 59 “I thought about my ways,

And turned my feet to Your testimonies.”

The essence of repentance is first a change in one’s mind, which then leads to making a change in one’s life. Turning to the Lord in repentance and faith is where salvation is found.

Vs. 60 “I made haste, and did not delay

To keep Your commandments.”

Seeing the error in our ways we now a desire to do and pursue God’s. This though must begin by being born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Receive then the Lord Jesus Christ and by His Spirit you will be born-again!

Vs. 61 “The cords of the wicked have bound me,

But I have not forgotten Your law.”

The faithful believer will not forsake God’s Word even when they are being persecuted by the wicked.

Vs. 62 “At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,

Because of Your righteous judgments.”

Contemplating God’s judgments brings us such joy that even at midnight we will rise and give our Lord and Savior thanks.

Vs. 63 “I am a companion of all who fear You,

And of those who keep Your precepts.”

Our loyalty and love is for all the people of God, for everyone who fears Him, everyone who keeps our Lord and Saviors precepts.

Vs. 64 “The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;

Teach me Your statutes.”

Just looking at all of creation one immediately is taken with how the Lord in His great mercies keeps it all by His Word, thus we too are wanting to be instructed by Him.

Section 9 vs. 65-72

Vs. 65 “You have dealt well with Your servant,

O Lord, according to Your word.”

During our times of reflection, we become most thankful when we recall just how wonderfully the Lord has dealt with us according to His Word. Everything we have and are has come from Him.

Vs. 66 “Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

For I believe Your commandments.”

This prayer should be all of ours, for having knowledge of God without having good judgment can lead to injustice.

Vs. 67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.”

The peaceable fruit of righteousness is born out of chastisement. Therefore, do not despise God’s chastening of you, for by it you will learn to keep His Word.

Vs. 68 “You are good, and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.”

To learn from God, one must believe that He is good and always does good. Therefore, do not equate the wicked works of man (especially done in His Name) with His Person, for He has nothing to do with them (consider 1 John 4:8).

Vs. 69 “The proud have forged a lie against me,

But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.”

The proud who reject God’s salvation for themselves always turn themselves against those who do believe in Him. Thus here we have them forging lies about us to set others against us, nonetheless we will not depart from our Lord and Saviors precepts, for we will keep them with our whole heart.

Vs. 70 “Their heart is as fat as grease,

But I delight in Your law.”

Yes, they may prosper, yes, they may even have great treasures, but none of their abundance will deliver their souls (Psalm 49:6-9). For all their wealth is only a snare for them to waste their lives entangled in. Therefore, we will delight ourselves in God’s law (i.e., Word) for by it He has given us understanding and everlasting life.

Vs. 71 “It is good for me that I have been afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.”

Often the believer, only at the end of their chastisement, sees the good that God was intending towards them, for by keeping His statutes He keeps us from great harm.

Vs. 72 “The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”

The Word of God is more valuable to me then mounds of gold and silver coins, for they cannot deliver my soul, nor can they guide me in the right way to go. They promise nothing other than corruption, covetousness, and greed.

Section 10 vs. 73-80

Vs. 73 “Your hands have made me and fashioned me;

Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.”

We know that it is God our Father who has made us and fashioned us and then He choose us for Himself, therefore we pray that He give us understanding so that we may learn His commandments, and thus become a vessel that He can employ to full His purposes here on earth (consider 2 Tim. 2:20-26).

Vs. 74 “Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,

Because I have hoped in Your word.”

Everyone who believes in the Gospel will always be gladly greeted by those who have done the same.

Vs. 75 “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”

The mature Christian does not pout when being chastised. Rather we confess to our God and Father our wrongs and that in His faithfulness He has afflicted us. Acknowledging then that God is right when He chastises us is part and parcel with confessing our sin to Him.

Vs. 76 “Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,

According to Your word to Your servant.”

How great is our need and desire for God’s mercies and kindness. We should then ask for God’s merciful kindness to come to us according to His Word, for our Father doesn’t just chastise us, (which He must as a just Father do), but He also comforts us. For He is our comforting solace and place of nurturing rest.

Vs. 77 “Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;

For Your law is my delight.”

In our times of affliction, we humbly ask God to let His tender mercies come to us, to restore and reinvigorate us, for even though we stumble, we delight in His law.

Vs. 78 “Let the proud be ashamed,

For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;

But I will meditate on Your precepts.”

Once again it is the proud speaking lies about the children of God. For even when we do undeniable good, they only twist and turn it in peoples minds as being something that is evil. Therefore, our prayer here is that God put them to an open shame, that He uncover and expose them, for we will continue to mediate on God’s precepts even while the plot their schemes against us.

Vs. 79 “Let those who fear You turn to me,

Those who know Your testimonies.”

Our Prayer here is that God direct everyone who fears Him to us, everyone who knows His testimonies so that we can be a support and counselor to them. For we want fellowship with all the children of God.

Vs. 80 “Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,

That I may not be ashamed.”

Asking the Lord to purify our hearts, to help us keep ourselves from our sin, is part and parcel of following Him in discipleship.

Section 11 vs. 81-88

Vs. 81 “My soul faints for Your salvation,

But I hope in Your word.”

The weary saint longs for God’s salvation, for the Day when we are finally at home in the Kingdom of heaven. But until that Day comes in all its fullness we will hope in His Word.

Vs. 82 My eyes fail from searching Your word,

Saying, “When will You comfort me?”

The faithful saint does not abandon their faith, we do not stop seeking God in His Word, even when it seems His comforts are far from us.

Vs. 83 “For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,

Yet I do not forget Your statutes.”

The saint here uses the analogy of "wineskin in smoke", to describe their persons appearance. Nonetheless they do nor use their suffering as an excuse or reason to forsake God’s commandments. (Antithesis seen in Isaiah 22:11-14 which is also used in 1 Cor. 15:32 by the Apostle Paul to show the effect of denying the resurrection from the dead).

Vs. 84 “How many are the days of Your servant?

When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?”

As our lives run down and are being run down, we may think that the Lord is not taking notice of what is happening to us. Nonetheless He is always watching over us and He always repays everyone according to their works and ways, especially those who persecute us.

Vs. 85 “The proud have dug pits for me,

Which is not according to Your law.”

Once again it is the proud who sets themselves against the children of God, here they have dug pits (a metaphor for schemes and plots which they create and orchestrate) hoping to bring about our demise. Now of course this is not according to God’s law, therefore the Scripture assures us that the pits that they have dug, they themselves will fall into! (consider Prov. 26:27, 28:10, also Psalm 7:15-16, 57:6, Ecc. 10:8 etc.) There own schemes and scheming ways then will one day lead them into their own demise. (In this Remember Haman how his plot to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews only brought about his and his own family’s demise).

Vs. 86 “All Your commandments are faithful;

They persecute me wrongfully;

Help me!”

Even though we despair of being persecuted wrongfully, we Know God’s commandments are faithful and through them (our keeping them) He will help us!

Vs. 87 “They almost made an end of me on earth,

But I did not forsake Your precepts.”

Yes, many a saint has been brought to doors of death by wicked and ungodly people, nonetheless the righteous (that is those who have been made righteous by God) we will never forsake His commandments even to the point of death. (Remember Stephen the first Christian martyr, Acts 6:8-7:60).

Vs. 88 “Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,

So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.”

Our prayer to be revived by God is always based upon His lovingkindness, and it is so that we can keep on declaring His loving kindness to one and to all.

Section 12 vs. 89-96

Vs. 89 “Forever, O Lord,

Your word is settled in heaven.”

Our confidence is in the Word of God for the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall by no means pass away.” ^{Matt. 24:35}Rest assured then not one dot nor tittle of the Word of God shall fail.

Vs. 90 “Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

You established the earth, and it abides.”

God’s faithfulness endures to every generation and is proven by the very earth which we live on which continues on by His good hand upon it and us, nothing then should ever shake our confidence in Him, for He will maintain it and us on it until all things in His Word are fulfilled.

Vs. 91 “They continue this day according to Your ordinances,

For all are Your servants.”

Again, in contemplating God’s faithfulness just look all of His creation, everything continues every day according to His ordinances (even His laws of physics that He created) He has given to rule all the created order, both seen and unseen.

Vs. 92 “Unless Your law had been my delight,

I would then have perished in my affliction.”

Delighting in the Word of God is what sustains us even in our darkest times.

Vs. 93 “I will never forget Your precepts,

For by them You have given me life.”

This is our heartfelt cry when we come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, for having been transferred from the powers of darkness to the power of light, we now see the immense wisdom of God’s Word.

Vs. 94 “I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.”

We cry out to our God and Father to save us. For though we have been saved from the everlasting judgment of our sins, we still need the Lord’s saving us in our daily battles and struggles in our lives.

Vs. 95 “The wicked wait for me to destroy me,

But I will consider Your testimonies.”

Wicked people are always parked outside of the righteous persons dwelling, waiting opportunistically to destroy us. Nonetheless we are not turned away from the Lord our God by them, instead we grow stronger with Him.

Vs. 96 “I have seen the consummation of all perfection,

But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.”

Completing the Word of God leaves us with one breathless conclusion, that God’s Word alone is consummation of all perfection, of all that one could ever wish or hope to be is found In Christ. That said God’s commandment leaves out no one. Take hold of it then and repent and believe!

Section 13 vs 97-104

Vs. 97 “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will love the Word of God, for it is He to whom we now belong. Meditating on His Word then is our delight!

Vs. 98 “You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;

For they are ever with me.”

God’s commandments are not some “rules” given to incumber us as sinners always think, rather they are the way to life, the way of all true wisdom and knowledge and understanding is found in keeping them, for by keeping them they will keep you from great personal harm and harming others as well.

Vs. 99 “I have more understanding than all my teachers,

For Your testimonies are my meditation.”

Intellectual knowledge is one thing, but those who rest and rely on their own intellect will never come to know the Word of the Lord as the eager and hungry Bible student will (1 Cor 2:1-16).

Vs. 100 “I understand more than the ancients,

Because I keep Your precepts.”

Obedience to the Word of leads one to having great understanding, great discernment, great wisdom. In the Book of Job there is a young man named Elihu who exemplifies this in defending God’s ways and rebuking Job's stately friends when he says, “great men are not always wise, nor due the aged always understand justice.” ^{Job 32:9}

Vs. 101 “I have restrained my feet from every evil way,

That I may keep Your word.”

By shunning evil, and exercising self discipline, one can keep God’s Word.

Vs. 102 “I have not departed from Your judgments,

For You Yourself have taught me.”

It is God’s Holy Spirit who teaches every one us of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who thus have been born-again. Now because of this new birth, this transformation of our person on the inside, we have a God given desire to learn and keep His judgments. Again, love for the Word of God comes from love for His Son, and by His Holy Spirit we can and do.

Vs. 103 “How sweet are Your words to my taste,

Sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

The believer delights to speak the Word of God, (i.e., the Bible) for its Word to us is so much sweeter then honey.

Vs. 104 “Through Your precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.”

God’s precepts not only give us great understanding, they reveal to us the way of life and truth, therefore I hate ever false way, for by this world’s ways, Satan destroys it and all the people who are wittingly and unwittingly doing his will on it.

Section 14 vs 105-112

Vs. 105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.”

God’s Word (i.e., the entire Bible) is the only Word which can safely guide us through this life and on into eternal life.

Vs. 106 “I have sworn and confirmed

That I will keep Your righteous judgments.”

Every believer’s heart is set on holiness, set on keeping God’s Word. That said we all must still struggle against sin and all fleshly temptations towards it.

Vs. 107 “I am afflicted very much;

Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.”

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers us out of them all” (Psalm 34:19 paraphrase). Therefore, the prayer here is that the Lord revie us according to His Word, for we cannot save, nor sustain ourselves, only He can.

Vs. 108 “Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,

And teach me Your judgments.”

Since we are the redeemed, and thus New Covenant people of God, we are His worshippers who freely offer Him all our worship and praise, that said no matter how mature in the faith we may think we are we are ever in need of His teaching us His judgments. For the minute we stop desiring the Lord to teach us is the minute we cease to learn and grow.

Vs. 109 “My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Your law.”

Fearless conviction can only be tested (and proven) when one’s life is on the line.

Vs. 110 “The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.”

Even during times of persecution, we who believe In Christ will keep His precepts.

Vs. 111 “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,

For they are the rejoicing of my heart.”

When one comes to life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ there is a fundamental transformation and change that takes place inside of us, that unites us with the Word of God, God’s Word then becomes our heritage forever, surpassing all others in depth and scope and meaning, it is the rejoicing of our hearts, for by God’s Word we know Christ and know God the Father in truth as well!

Vs. 112 “I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes

Forever, to the very end.”

In believing in the Lord Jesus Christ our hearts inclination (and loyalty) is not to this world’s godless morality and pursuits, but to keep and perform God’s statutes, i.e., the Lord Jesus Christ’s Commandments forever, to the very end.

Section 15 vs. 113-120

Vs. 113 “I hate the double-minded,

But I love Your law.”

We hate the double minded, those who one minute talk like they are for Christ and the next minute they are best friends with the world (consider 1 John 2:15-17). The double minded “believer” then is not a believer, they are just deceivers.

Vs. 114 “You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in Your word.”

The Lord is our hiding place and shield, the only One we take everlasting refuge in. For He is the only One who will never leave us nor forsake us. For when everyone else is gone He remains with us. He alone then is He our shield, our shield against the always and ever-present opposition that surrounds us, and Satan who endlessly accuses us. His Word then is our hope, for by it He will save us, and deal with all who oppose Him.

Vs. 115 “Depart from me, you evildoers,

For I will keep the commandments of my God!”

Every believer is distressed and disgusted by evil people, by their vile speech and vile lives, by their brazen blasphemous speech which they speak (as if set on fire by Satan himself) so openly and fearlessly in our hearing. Therefore, we want nothing to do with them and their wicked lives. For what we want is not what they want, and that is God’s commandments.

Vs. 116 “Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;

And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.”

The prayer here is that our Lord and Savior uphold us according to His Word (for this is how believers claim the promises of God) and this we ask that He do openly for us, so that we may not be ashamed of our hope in Him. That all may see that He has done it for us.

Vs. 117 “Hold me up, and I shall be safe,

And I shall observe Your statutes continually.”

We know that our persons and lives are in God our Fathers Hands, therefore asking Him to hold us up is to be sure that we shall be safe in the faith. And because we are safe and secure with Him, we shall observe His statutes continually, and not let them slip from our congregations nor our personal lives.

Vs. 118 “You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,

For their deceit is falsehood.”

Here then is the antithesis to the previous verse. For just as God saves and secures all those who keep His statutes, so He rejects all those who stray from them, who then will try to even undermine them in the hearts and minds of others, therefore know that their deceit (their way) is falsehood.

Vs. 119 “You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross;

Therefore I love Your testimonies.”

This verse promises that God Himself will put away all the wicked of the earth like dross (i.e., the slag material that comes from refining fine metals like silver and gold). Thus, there will be a Day of great separation when God Himself will separate the wicked (which will be sent to hell) from the just (who will inherit the Kingdom of heaven). Everyone then who purifies their lives, beginning by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, loves God’s testimonies which have brought us life and which clearly testify to these things throughout the Scriptures (consider John 5:24-30).

Vs. 120 “My flesh trembles for fear of You,

And I am afraid of Your judgments.”

Knowing that the power to save and condemn rests in God’s Hands alone there is a healthy fear amongst us who believe in Him. And in knowing His judgments, we know that He does not show partiality to anyone (Acts 10:34-35), therefore we should never presume upon Him to act favorably towards us if we are living contrary to Him. That said, the humble and reptant sinner will always find His favor and restoration once again (Luke 18:9-14).

Section 16 vs. 121-128

Vs. 121 “I have done justice and righteousness;

Do not leave me to my oppressors.”

The appeal here is based upon the fact that in doing righteousness and justice one can come to God for deliverance from one’s oppressors. Conversely if one is unjust, unrighteous, and basically has been oppressing others they should not expect to have God’s attentive ear in their times of trouble, at least not until they themselves repent and believe in the Gospel.

Vs. 122 “Be surety for Your servant for good;

Do not let the proud oppress me.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is our Surety, Our Guarantor before God the Father for our having eternal life; And this is so because of His death on the Cross where He paid our sin debt in full; therefore we can now look to Him for deliverance from the proud who oppress us.

Vs. 123 “My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation

And Your righteous word.”

Those who think God’s deliverance of us is always immediate should consider this passage, for sometimes God has purposes unfolding that we do not know, that require there must be a dely. Nonetheless the faithful saint will never stop seeking Him and His righteous Word while we wait.

Vs. 124 “Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,

And teach me Your statutes.”

Every believer wants God to deal with them according to His mercy; for we know we are not sinless; we know we have our own faults and failings, therefore we want Him to teach us His statutes so we can have good discernment in all aspects of life and always choose the good and shun all evil.

Vs. 125 “I am Your servant; Give me understanding,

That I may know Your testimonies.”

Yes, we are God’s servants, and because we are, we want to know our Masters Will; a Will which is revealed to us through His Word; therefore, we ask Him to give us a right understanding of it.

Vs. 126 “It is time for You to act, O Lord,

For they have regarded Your law as void.”

The believer is frustrated by all the vileness and violence that we see spreading all around us. For we see the wicked openly mocking God and His Word, Therefore we call upon God to act in the defense of His Law, a Law which is given for the judgment of such people (1 Tim. 1:9-11). Now this prayer will be answered in full at the Lord Jesus Christ’s return.

Vs. 127 “Therefore I love Your commandments

More than gold, yes, than fine gold!”

In contrast to the dogs and swine who trample God’s Word under their defiled feet, is the redeemed child of God who loves His Word, loves His commandments even more than gold, because by them we gain wisdom and life! While gold just leaves you in the end, and now only leaves you in your spiritually dead and defiled state. For Gold cannot redeem your soul, only Christ can (therefore consider the Lord Jesus warning in Mark 8:34-38).

Vs. 128 “Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.”

God’s Word is our passion! For by it we know right from wrong, truth from lies, and by it we are enlightened to the consequences of sin, therefore we hate every false way.

Section 17 vs. 129-136

Vs. 129 “Your testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore my soul keeps them.”

All of God’s Word is wonderful, everything in it speaks to mankind’s deepest need. Therefore, my soul keeps God’s testimonies, for nothing else satisfies me or can satisfy me.

Vs. 130 “The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.”

God’s Word illuminates’ truth to one and to all who heed it. For it alone has a great sanctifying effect wherever it is held and taught. Indeed, by it God gives understanding to the simple so that they can walk away from the darkness and walk with Him in the light.

Vs. 131 “I opened my mouth and panted,

For I longed for Your commandments.”

Our soul’s thirst can only be quenched by the Word of God. The Lord Jesus Christ made this clear to a Samaritan woman whose life had been filled with trying to satisfy her souls thirst by the many relationships she had had (see John 4:1-42).

Vs. 132 “Look upon me and be merciful to me,

As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.”

We appeal to God for His mercies because we love His Name, this is the heritage of everyone who now believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, from blasphemers to now His loving worshippers, this is how He has changed us!

Vs. 133 “Direct my steps by Your word,

And let no iniquity have dominion over me.”

As humble saints we should ask God to direct our steps according to His Word, so that that we can live righteously with Him (this is the pursuit of holiness). Equally then as people who have come out of this worlds beliefs, we ask that He not let iniquity have dominion over us, that we not be given over to sin.

Vs. 134 “Redeem me from the oppression of man,

That I may keep Your precepts.”

God has redeemed us from our sins how much more than should we asked Him to redeem us from the oppressions of man so that we may keep His precepts.

Vs. 135 “Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statutes.”

When we ask God to make His face shine upon us, we are asking Him to show us His favor, here to enable us by His Spirit to learn His statutes.

Vs. 136 “Rivers of water run down from my eyes,

Because men do not keep Your law.”

Yes, deep sadness fills the heart of the believer when we see the state this world is in, the state it chooses to be in. If only they would heed God’s Word, He would change so many things for the better for them all.

Section 18 vs. 137-144

Vs. 137 “Righteous are You, O Lord,

And upright are Your judgments.”

Truly the Lord alone is righteousness, perfect in all of His ways and just in all His dealings. And just as His Person is so are His judgments.

Vs. 138 “Your testimonies, which You have commanded,

Are righteous and very faithful.”

Very true are the Lord’s testimonies which He has commanded, how exceedingly righteous and good are they towards all who believe and obey them, for by them we know and experience God’s faithfulness, for He always keeps His Word.

Vs. 139 “My zeal has consumed me,

Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.”

The faithful believer (or disciple) is always zealous for the Word of God, always ready to honor and defend it (2 Cor 10:5-6; Jude 3). Always grieved when he sees his enemies have forgotten God’s Words, and thus taken it upon themselves to act in defiance of it.

Vs. 140 “Your word is very pure;

Therefore Your servant loves it.”

There is nothing as pure as the Word of God, nothing in all of this world’s literature can even come close to equaling it. Therefore, your servant loves it.

Vs. 141 “I am small and despised,

Yet I do not forget Your precepts.”

Every believer will experience contempt and scorn during their sojourn down here, even so we will never forget God’s precepts, for we don’t care about having unbelieving mans approval, just God’s.

Vs. 142 “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

And Your law is truth.”

Only God’s Righteousness endures forever, only His Work on Cross shall remain. And only God’s Law (i.e., the whole Bible) is truth, unchanging and unalterable truth (Prov. 30:5-6).

Vs. 143 “Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,

Yet Your commandments are my delights.”

During times of great grief, and even in our deepest sorrows, we still find great delight in the Word of God, for truly His commandments are our delight!

Vs. 144 “The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;

Give me understanding, and I shall live.”

Only God’s testimonies bring forth a righteousness that lasts forever. Therefore they are applicable at all times and in all generations. We pray then that God give us understanding so that we might heed them and live.

Section 19 vs. 145-152

Vs. 145 “I cry out with my whole heart;

Hear me, O Lord!

I will keep Your statutes.”

We cry out to God with all of our heart, to hear us, so that He may help us keep His statues.

Vs. 146 “I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.:

When we call upon the Lord He brings His salvation to us (Rom. 10:13). The repentant seeker then is asking that God save him so that he might keep His testimonies. For no one keeps the Word of God by their own strength and will, one must be born-again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then with Christ’s salvation in hand and Holy Spirit inside we start our new life and journey with God.

Vs. 147 “I rise before the dawning of the morning,

And cry for help; I hope in Your word.

The hurting and believing soul cannot wait until morning light to seek our God. Indeed, our first inclination is not towards seeking the help of man, (which is useless), but the help of our God and Savior for we hope in His Word.

Vs. 148 “My eyes are awake through the night watches,

That I may meditate on Your word.”

Effective Bible study is not be bound to a fixed timetable, for sometimes we may need to go late into the night as we study and meditate on God’s Word.

Vs. 149 “Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;

O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.”

We should always appeal to our Lord and Saviors lovingkindness, and pray that He revive us according to His justice, especially when we are being wronged and oppressed.

Vs. 150 “They draw near who follow after wickedness;

They are far from Your law.”

The righteous is always oppressed by those who live wickedly; indeed, it seems that the righteous is always surrounded by those who follow after wickedness, who live their lives far from God’s Law.

Vs. 151 “You are near, O Lord,

And all Your commandments are truth.”

Even so the Lord is always much nearer to the righteous than the wicked (see previous verse), for we hold to His commandments which are truth.

Vs. 152 “Concerning Your testimonies,

I have known of old that You have founded them forever.”

God’s testimonies, all His commandments we founded long ago, and like Him they do not change, nor do they need to be amended.

Section 20 vs. 153-160

Vs. 153 “Consider my affliction and deliver me,

For I do not forget Your law.”

The faithful believer in their affliction can always look confidently to the Lord our God for their deliverance.

Vs. 154 “Plead my cause and redeem me;

Revive me according to Your word.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is both our Advocate before the Father and our Redeemer and by His Holy Spirit, and He will revive us according to His Word.

Vs. 155 “Salvation is far from the wicked,

For they do not seek Your statutes.”

Why is salvation far from the wicked? Simply stated they do not seek God’s statutes, nor will they listen to God’s Word spoken to them, instead they choose to live wicked and unbelieving lives. That said, with the Gospel given all it takes for anyone to be saved is to repent and believe!

Vs. 156 “Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord;

Revive me according to Your judgments.”

The Lord’s tender mercies are great, far greater than our words could ever express. Knowing Him then gives us confidence to ask Him to revive us according to His judgments, for our God is the Most Just Judge and Kind Person.

Vs. 157 “Many are my persecutors and my enemies,

Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.”

Everyone who keeps to the Word of God will be persecuted, we will have enemies, but only the faithful believer will remain steadfast in it, and so we will.

Vs. 158 “I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,

Because they do not keep Your word.”

The righteous person is disgusted by those who deal treacherously; who betray the righteous like Judas did to the Lord Jesus; for all their ways are deceitful, “a slight of hand”. Therefore they can neither be trusted or relied upon, for they do not keep God’s Word.

Vs. 159 “Consider how I love Your precepts;

Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.”

We who love the Lord love His precepts (John 14:23-24). Therefore we can ask the Lord to revive us according to His lovingkindness. In the previous two requests that the Lord revive us in this section of the Psalm, the appeal was made by asking Him to do this according to His Word and His Judgments. Thus, in those instances there was an appeal to first His Promises in His Word, and in the second instance according to the Judgments in His Word. The appeal here then is our asking for His compassion to save us.

Vs. 160 “The entirety of Your word is truth,

And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

We can have no greater confidence than to have all of our faith in the Word of God, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelations 22:21 the entirety of God’s Word is truth and forever unalterable, for every one of His righteous judgments endure forever! I love this verse, and I wish every believer in every church, every Sunday school class, and in every Bible study group would learn it and believe it.

Section 21 vs. 161-168

Vs. 161 “Princes persecute me without a cause,

But my heart stands in awe of Your word.”

Even when the highest authorities and dignitaries persecute us without a cause, we shall still stand in awe of God’s Word, a Word which they do not know (1 Cor. 2:7-8).

Vs. 162 “I rejoice at Your word

As one who finds great treasure.”

God’s Word truly is our great treasure, for it is the only thing that satisfies our souls.

Vs. 163 “I hate and abhor lying,

But I love Your law.”

Truly the righteous hate and abhor lying, for that is the way of the deceiver, not our Redeemer, nor the redeemed. Therefore we love God’s law for by it all lies are exposed.

Vs. 164 “Seven times a day I praise You,

Because of Your righteous judgments.”

Whether taken literally or figuratively (since the number seven indicates perfection or complete wholeness), the thought is that the Psalmist will worship God not out of an act of “religious compliance,” but out of whole hearted passion.

Vs. 165 “Great peace have those who love Your law,

And nothing causes them to stumble.”

To love the law (i.e., Word of God) is to embrace it and seek to live by its statutes, and when anyone does, they will find peace in lives and their footsteps will be guarded from sin.

Vs. 166 “Lord, I hope for Your salvation,

And I do Your commandments.”

This was Israel’s sole duty given them by God, to do His commandments while they awaited on His salvation through His Son. And so, with God’s Son having come and fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the Law for us, there is now a flip in the order in that first we are to receive God’s salvation through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ who then by His Spirit changes us so that we now desire and can do His commandments.

Vs. 167 “My soul keeps Your testimonies,

And I love them exceedingly.”

Kept in the heart of every saint is our God and Saviors testimonies, strip everything else away from us, and we will still be loving them.

Vs. 168 “I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,

For all my ways are before You.”

Having a reverent fear of God keeps ones focus on keeping His precepts and testimonies. For not only does He watch all our ways down here to repay us down here, but ultimately we must all give an accounting to Him of our lives down here which will be repaid up there in heaven (consider Matt. 19:27-30; Rom. 2:6; Gal. 6:7 etc.).

Section 22 vs. 169-176

Vs. 169 “Let my cry come before You, O Lord;

Give me understanding according to Your word.”

We want our prayers to always come before our God, to not be hindered by our own disobedience, therefore we want to have a good understanding of God’s Word to keep us in line with Him.

Vs. 170 “Let my supplication come before You;

Deliver me according to Your word.”

When the accuser of the brethren stands strong against us, we humbly asked that our supplications come before You, and that You our God and Father deliver us according to Your Word.

Vs. 171 “My lips shall utter praise,

For You teach me Your statutes.”

Great delight do we get as God teaches us His statutes.

Vs. 172 “My tongue shall speak of Your word,

For all Your commandments are righteousness.”

As we learn the Word of God (and we see how good and right it is), there is a great desire to speak God’s Word to all, to tell His commandments which truly bring people to know and understand His righteousness in their own lives as well (consider Isaiah 26:9).

Vs. 173 “Let Your hand become my help,

For I have chosen Your precepts.”

There are Divine privileges that come to everyone who chooses God’s precepts, and number one is having His help in time of need (consider Deut. 5:29; Psalm 81:13-16; Isaiah 48:18-19).

Vs. 174 “I long for Your salvation, O Lord,

And Your law is my delight.”

Salvation here is not of our souls, the souls of everyone believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, for that was accomplished for us at Calvary, salvation here is the redemption of our bodies, when we go to be with Christ, free from sin and the sin nature forever! And so now we delight in God’s law, for it now shows us what we will be like, when we are forever bearing the true image of God.

Vs. 175 “Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;

And let Your judgments help me.”

Our prayer to live on for the Lord so that we can continue to praise Him, is booked marked by a desire to have God’s judgments guide us in His way.

Vs. 176 “I have gone astray like a lost sheep;

Seek Your servant,

For I do not forget Your commandments.”

The Psalm now closes with a desperate appeal. For even the most fervent of heart cannot save themselves by trying to keep the Word of God, they need to be born-again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who then by His Spirit gives us a new heart with new desires and new abilities to now know and keep His commandments. Sinless perfection then is not what we will have down here, just our growing more in more in the grace of God (and thus His likeness) until we are home forever.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982): Thomas Nelson.

Christian Devotionals

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Psalm 120 A Song of Ascents.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Psalm 119

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