Over the next week or so, we are going to read the long and majestic Psalm 119. This psalm has a single theme: the word of God – that is, the Bible. It uses a range of different words to talk about God’s word, like “law”, “testimony”, “commandment”, “judgment” and “promise”. Don’t read these as negative ideas. For the writer of the psalm, all God’s words are beautiful and good, and they show the path to life.
The psalm is an Old Testament preview of God’s goal for those who trust in Christ – when we receive Jesus’ forgiveness, he writes his law in our hearts to change us so that we begin to delight in his word (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
We’re going to read this in blocks of 24 verses per day. But the questions I’ll ask are different to our normal Psalms questions:
1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?
2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?
3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the Law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies
and seek Him with all their heart.
3 They do no iniquity;
they walk in His ways.
4 You have ordained Your precepts,
that we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were committed
to keeping Your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed
when I consider all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with an upright heart
when I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
do not let me stray from Your commandments.
11 I have hidden Your word in my heart
that I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O LORD;
teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
and regard Your ways.
16 I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,
that I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wondrous things from Your law.
19 I am a stranger on the earth;
do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for Your judgments at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant—
the cursed who stray from Your commandments.
22 Remove my scorn and contempt,
for I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Though rulers sit and slander me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are indeed my delight;
they are my counselors.
REFLECTIONS
Now reflect on our questions for Psalm 119:
1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?
2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?
3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?
Then pray.