Let’s see, what is a precept? I’m in Ps. 119, and I’m trying to grasp the word precept—which is one of the words the Psalmist uses to describe the word of God in this chapter. In fact, precepts is only used in 29 verses in the Bible and 21 of those times are in Ps. 119.
I’ve already discovered that precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. Before I go further looking at each verse in Ps. 119 that uses precepts, I want to have some precepts in mind. I’m going to find some to ponder:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Now that my mind is primed with a few precepts or principles—statements of truth to guide my life… I’ll go on down the list of verses in Ps. 119 with precepts and better be able to interact with them.
Psalms 119:45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
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I’ll have freedom as I go through this day, because my mind and my heart are going after his precepts. Here’s one to seek today: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) |
Psalms 119:56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
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This goes back to vs. 55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night and have kept thy law. I remember his name in the night because I keep his precepts. |
Psalms 119:63 ¶ I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
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Lord, help me to find companions who value and keep your precepts or principles. This reminds me of a Proverbs precept: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) |
Psalms 119:69 ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
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Face it. Not everyone is my friend. There are backstabbers and critical, condemning people out there. But I won’t repay them evil for evil. Instead, I’ll keep God’s precepts. For this one, how about Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3) |
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