A Last Look at Ps. 119

Today we are ending our look at Ps. 119. It has helped me to see what a heart passionate for God and his word looks like. I've learned the value of every aspect of God's word. But I don't always recognize it and live it. Neither did David, though he did a pretty good job… as the man after God's own heart. Yet, in the last verse of Ps. 119, David admits that he strayed. As you would expect, he shows the model of what to do in that case.

Here, savor with me the last four verses of Ps. 119.

Psa 119:173  Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.	Of course, in a crisis, people naturally call out to God for help. That's good, but it's also presumptuous for those who have no relationship with him to think he will answer. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Psa 66:18  But here, David is bold to ask for help because he has chosen God's precepts. May the following never be said of me: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Mat 15:8
(174)  I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.	God's salvation and his law are David's longing and delight. He lives with a conscious awareness of God and his word. Nothing else really matters. In fact, nothing else is real. It takes a mature person to get to the place where they can say, and pass on to others, as David did with his son Solomon:  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: Prov. 6:23
(175)  Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.	David was determined to praise God as long as he was alive. That's a great resolve. And better if God's word is helping us along. It's easier to praise God when we're walking in the path of his word. Remember, we praise God because he is worthy and deserving, not because we feel good. Today I will praise him independent of my feelings and circumstances.
(176)  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.	In this last verse of Ps. 119, David admits he strayed from God. Don't we all? And how did he handle it? He admitted it and asked God to seek him. We know we are to seek God, but can we ask him to seek us? Yes, because he's a good shepherd. David knew about sheep. He himself was a shepherd (remember Ps. 23?). Shepherds seek lost sheep. It's perfectly OK to ask God to seek us when we go astray. "God, come to where I am and bring me back." It's refreshing to think of God as a seeker and not simply a demander. The fact that he sent Jesus to save us shows that He is a seeker of lost souls. Jesus himself saw us as sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36).

The Ups and the Downs

In the four verses we are looking at from Ps. 119 today, it's interesting that the first and third verses, David talks about what a mess he is, and in the second and fourth verses, he focuses on God's righteousness. There is a huge salvation lesson in that, because we all have challenging times mentally, emotionally and spiritually, but if we know Jesus as savior, his righteousness is put to our account, and our disposition swings don't matter so much. But I get ahead of myself. We have great verses to look at today.

Ps. 119: 141  I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.	David is self-depreciating. Is that a good thing? I have thoughts on that, but I'd be interested in knowing others' thoughts. At any rate, while he didn't think much of himself at the time, David thought highly of God's precepts (codes of wisdom and principles to live by) all of the time.
(142)  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.	What is lasting? So many things are fleeting, including positive thoughts about myself. God's righteousness is everlasting. It's a good thing, because I have God's righteousness, which was put to my account in exchange for my sins when I accepted Christ as my savior on Sept. 23, 1972. That righteousness is everlasting, and it needs to be in order for me to be accepted by God. And here's another question. What is the truth? It's not up to individuals to decide that. God's law is the truth. And by the way, it is the law that condemns me and tells me I'm not righteous in myself. When I agree that his law is the truth, and I don't keep the law, then I need to have his righteousness put to my account, because I'm not righteous in myself.
(143)  Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.	In this life, I still have trouble and anguish, just like David, who really had trouble and anguish. After all, I've never had someone hunt me down and try to kill me like David did. But he managed to find delight, not in his circumstances, but in God's commandments. That's remarkable to me, because the parts of God's word that I find delight in aren't his commandments. Maybe his testimonies, but his commandments? I'll have to talk to David when I get to heaven and ask him about that.
(144)  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.	Ah. Here David goes to the part of God's word that I easily go to… his righteous testimonies. The way God dealt with people in the Old Testament is a testimony of God's righteousness that I can see. It's a great idea to pray for understanding as I read his testimonies. I want to learn the lessons, which are like jewels to be found and treasured.

Turn on the Light

It’s Monday and it’s time to start the week out with God. At church, we have been encouraged to fast something for 3 weeks in order to beseech God. Some are fasting food of some sort. I’m fasting sleep. I’m getting up earlier, walking and praying outside, and coming in and spending some great time in the Bible before the activities of the day.

As I read Ps. 119, I’m ever mindful that David wrote the Psalm. And I know his life. This Psalm gives such insight into it. What made him such an admirable person (most of the time)? It was his hunger and passion for God and His word. He needed God every day. So do I. Here we go…

Psa 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.	God’s testimonies are the Bible stories I love that tell me how God works in people’s lives. Those stories and what I learn from them are indeed wonderful. David thought so too, because he made it a point to learn from them and keep the lessons he learned. Maybe the biggest lesson for me is that God is merciful. He doesn’t wipe us off the planet when we mess up. (Ex. 34:6-7) And so, can I, in turn, be merciful to other people?
(130)  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.	Here is a plug for daily Bible reading. Who doesn’t need light and understanding every single day? The word entrance means opening. I can get light just from sitting down and opening the Bible and reading. It gives me discernment. Is there any situation that I couldn’t use some God-given discernment? Even this verse gives me discernment that God gives discernment if I open his word and read.
(131)  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.	In Ps. 119:131, David gasped for God’s word, and not just God’s promises, but God’s commandments. “Lord, what do you want me to do? Show me. I want to do your will.” That’s what David was like. That’s a wonderful testimony that I want to keep (see vs. 129 above).  And when he had removed him [ Saul ], he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22)  David really did follow after God’s commandments in order to do them.
(132)  Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.	Here’s a piece of insight into David’s heart and mind. Like me, God’s mercy stood out to him when he looked at God’s testimonies as seen in the stories of how God dealt with people in the Old Testament. He applied that characteristic of God to his prayers for himself. “Lord, you were merciful to the Israelites as they wandered around in the wilderness. Please be merciful to me!”

Remember God’s Word However You Can

David provides such a great example of proper focus. He always expected things from God whenever he looked at God’s word. It was his hope when he had nothing else to hang on to. In Ps. 119, he shows us how he hung onto God’s word. It really inspires me.

What better than to put some of Ps. 119 to music to remember it. Here’s a YouTube video several of us put together. It’s Ps. 119:1-4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GviOe-fniXE

Ps. 119:93  I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.	Precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. I understand David’s sentiment, because when I find verses that raise me up from emotional doom, I tend to remember. Actually, I tend to put them to music so I can’t forget them. How many times has Prov. 3:5-6 quickened me? I remember the verses: Pro 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (You’ll find sheet music to that on the right under OT Musical Memory Verses.)
(94)  I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.	This shows a character quality of David’s I love. He read the Bible purposefully and expectantly. (Yes, he did have some Scriptures available to him at that time.) He sought God’s precepts or codes of wisdom/principles to guide his life. Because he did that, he appealed to God to save him from whatever he was going through. Really, my best personal quiet times are when I go through the Bible looking for something. It might be a word study or a character study. In David’s case, I think he went through asking, “God, how do you want me to live?” I think that’s true, because look what he taught his son Solomon, who wrote Proverbs in Prov. 4:3-9.
(95)  The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.	David held up during his people trials, how? He considered God’s testimonies. Those are the stories that show how people act and how God responds.  He could have read about Moses and the times the people rose up against him and how God was with him. That gave David hope and encouragement. An emerging lesson is that it’s important not to just read the Bible, but meditate on it and pray it back to God and trust it. Do you see why David is one of my favorite Bible characters?
(96)  I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.	Perfection is hard to find, especially where humans are concerned. I wouldn’t even try to look for it (take one look at the government, for example, and there’s the end of perfection, for sure). But… God’s commandments are broad. We can look and look and we’ll have something more to look at. Reminds me of the phrase “to look around is to be depressed. To look up is to be blessed.” We look up by looking at his word. Don’t even bother looking around.

When Will This be Over?

I just love David’s testimony of how he handled difficult times. He wrote Ps. 119, and in the four verses we will look at today, we see what ran through his mind and his prayers. He demonstrated that experiencing emotional pain is universal. But he knew how to encourage himself in God, which meant talking to God and sometimes questioning him. But in all cases, he sought God for relief. He didn’t have it in him to do anything but trust God.

How can I get like that? It might require being stripped of all other help. When God is all we have, God is all we need.

Psa 119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.	Deliverance from this trial is overdue. That’s the sentiment sometimes. It surely was the case with David as he spent a lot of time on the run from Saul and later from his son Absalom.  Fortunately, David made a habit of encouraging himself in God, and we benefit from his testimony. He did it by actively hoping in God’s word. He meditated on God’s character and his promises and trusted them. There’s no need for a psychiatrist, and a friend is a false hope. David turned to God’s word.
(82)  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?	Not that life trusting God’s character and promises is always easy. God will come through, but not on our schedule. David’s eyes failing makes me think he must have cried so much, he couldn’t see what he was reading. But we know he didn’t stay in that state. Another time he wrote about the victory he experienced: Psa 30:5b  weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. God will come through. Just hang on.
(83)  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.	Bottles in the olden days were made of leather and were hung in the tents in which pheasants lived. The leather bottles absorbed the soot from the fires they burned and thus became black. David may have been likening his life to absorbing soot as he lived through difficult trials. In spite of it, he didn’t forget God’s statutes, which are prescribed tasks. There are only two times we can obey God—when we feel like it, and when we don’t. David is a model of obedience here.
(84)  How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?	David felt like his life was wasting away while his persecutors chased him. It’s a very wonderous thing that he trusted God to eliminate his persecutor, Saul, rather than eliminate him himself. He had opportunities to kill Saul, but his conscience wouldn’t let him. Instead, he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, held it up to him and said: The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. (1 Sam 24:12) So, the question was, “God, when will you avenge me? Time’s a wastin’. He was certainly human. It’s OK to ask God, when will this be over?

How to Have a Healthy Mind

Years ago, a friend and I went through the book “Do You Hear What You’re Thinking?: The art of talking to yourself” by Jerry Schmidt. The theme of the book is that we should not let our minds and thoughts go whatever direction they want to, but rather take them in hand and guide them. Rather than listen to ourselves, we should talk to ourselves.

I thought of that this morning as I went through the next four verses in Ps. 119. First, we need to get our hearts right overall, then when we face issues, often people problems, we will be inclined to do something other than deflate and complain. Because when we let ourselves go like that, we usually take those around us down with us. Notice in the verses below how David rose above it all. There are lessons to learn.

Ps. 119:77-80  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.	David is the king of praying for God’s tender mercies for himself. He learned that’s what God is like. And it’s only through God’s tender mercies we will live. He/we can only feel confident praying for that when we know in our hearts that we delight in God’s laws. A tender, obedient, submissive heart, God our father loves to reward with tender mercies.
(78)  Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.	How do I deal with people problems? If someone around me doesn’t like me and poisons others’ perceptions of me, what’s the best way to handle it? It’s not to take vengeance. I know that. David chose not to dwell on it, but rather to turn his mind to God’s precepts, which are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. It takes a strong Christian to cast down imaginations and take into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ like that. (2 Cor. 10:5)
(79)  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.	Another way to handle people problems is to pray for new people to surround you. David went ahead and dreamed of what kind of friends he’d like to have… those who fear God and that have known (probably from experience) God’s testimonies or stories of how he operates. That’s a great idea and example.
(80)  Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.	Rather than let his mind run wild with defeating thoughts, David talked to himself… literally. He talked his heart into being sound (or healthy) by focusing on God’s statutes or prescribed tasks. That’s another great idea and example. He didn’t listen to himself. He talked to himself, and he reminded himself of God.

Grasp God's Mercy and Kindness

We have some spiritually delicious thoughts today from Ps. 119:73-76. God made us for a purpose, and if we follow it, we will be an encouragement to others. But sometimes God has to discipline us. It’s best if we take it as God’s faithfulness and surrender to whatever he is teaching us. Still, discipline hurts. We know that. So does David. And in that case, we ask for God’s merciful kindness, which we can do, because it’s God’s character to be merciful and kind.

The best word/concept studies I have done are God’s mercy and lovingkindness. I have run miles on them, and I encourage anyone to take out their Strong’s concordance and study these two words. It will change you forever. It changed David forever. (For a faster study, just look up all forms of the words mercy and lovingkindness in the Psalms.) But for today, enjoy Ps. 119:73-76.

Psa 119:73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.	When I, like David, fully grasp that God made me unique (as he amplifies in Ps. 139), It will unlock a desire to understand the specific purpose for which he made me, the very least of which is to do what he asked in his word. Lord, give me understanding that I might learn your desire for me. It starts with today. Show me anything you desire of me today.
(74)  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.	This reminds me of Pro 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. I’ve always applied that to the idea of having sharp friends, not being a sharp friend. True spiritual leaders like David look at their lives as a ministry and an example for others to follow… a discipler. A discipler who hopes in God’s word is a radiant spiritual model, and those who fear God are glad when he/she shows up.
(75)  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.	May I align myself with God like this when I go through any kind of pain or turmoil. “God, you are right, and I am not. I surrender. You are faithful. Yes Lord.”
(76)  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.	But, affliction, no matter the cause, still hurts. David appealed to God for comfort based on His merciful kindness that he showed David in his word. He showed it to me, too, in Exodus. Let’s all bask in this and pray it back to God like David did: Exo 34:6-7a  And the LORD passed by before him [ Moses ], and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

God Addresses People Problems

We want everyone to like us, but it doesn’t always happen. Not everyone is nice, either. Sometimes those who don’t like us whisper about us and stir others up against us. They make things up about us and rally others around them.

No one understood that better than David. He always had enemies. Much of the time, he was on the run from them. But somehow, he found mental and emotional victory in the middle of it. The four verses in Ps. 119 for today show exactly how he did that. It’s a pattern we can learn from.

Ps 119:69  The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.	It would take quite a resolve to commit to keeping God’s precepts with my whole heart when those around me lie about me and slander me. Precepts are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. It requires a heart that stands above it all in order to let others’ responses and opinions of me just slide off. David was able to do that. This verse shows that. It’s what made him a great leader. You can’t always buckle under the load of public opinion. Here’s another David example: 1Sa 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. I’d like to meet him in heaven and ask him exactly how he did that. I think it will be about meditating on God’s word.
(70)  Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.	David is referring to the proud who forged a lie against him. Fat as grease means they are insensitive. It’s not sin to recognize and acknowledge what kinds of people oppose me. “Consider the source” might be one way to look at it. But on the contrary, decide to think on and delight in God’s law. Which law? I don’t know about David, but here’s one I could sure work on: Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
(71)  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.	Carrying on with the same idea of surviving the onslaught of those who opposed David—the proud who forged a lie against him, I now see his perspective. He didn’t learn God’s statutes until he was afflicted like that. Trials make us bitter or better. Natural reasoning leads to bitter. Getting God’s comfort from his word leads to better. Statutes means prescribed actions. That’s appropriate. What actions does God prescribe in a time of trial and affliction? Here’s an example David could have learned from Job 13:15:  Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
(72)  The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.	After meditating on God’s word in the midst of his “people trials” and getting the right perspective to meet the challenge, David could say The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.  Really, in times of emotional upheaval, gold and silver are worthless. The law of God’s mouth is most necessary. Law means instruction or direction. David looked to God and his word until his agitated heart could be resolved. Psa 123:2  Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. David wrote that. God gives so much wisdom and insight through the testimony of David’s life.

There are Great Rewards for Those With Passion

I don’t just want to bumble through this day. I think I bumble by default. I want to be smart about how I handle the people and situations around me. I get this idea from the four verses below. They are my Monday Ps. 119 verses. I’m examining an eight-verse stanza a week. There is so much in the first four verses of Ps. 119:65-72 that I’m finishing up tomorrow.

I recoil at the word intentional because it’s so new-age Christian. Maybe passionate is a better word to describe how I should approach my life with God’s word top of mind today. I learn so much from David’s attitude. The stand-out verse for today is 66. I’ll be giving the devotional to the girls at the juvenile detention center tonight, and I’m going to trust God to give me good judgment and knowledge both before and during my dealings with them. They need to know God and Jesus, they just don’t realize it yet.

Psa 119:65-72  Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.	It’s reassuring for a child to see that what a mother or father says, they mean. Rewards promised for compliance are kept. A smart child learns and benefits from that. In the same way, it seems to me (and to David) that the most satisfying life is one that figures out what God said, and complies. Mat 7:24-25  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
(66)  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.	I can see where David would ask for good judgment and knowledge. As king, a lot of people looked to him for a lot of things. He expected God to answer that prayer because he believed God’s commandments. Truly, a believer has a better chance than a nonbeliever of responding to situations and people with good judgment and knowledge because of that foundational belief in God’s word. This verse shows the path to successful leadership. Bible-believing Christians should make the best leaders because they know the source.
(67)  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.	Pro 3:12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Heb 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? It’s a fact. God corrects us so we will humble ourselves and correct our attitudes and our ways. We learn to turn.
(68)  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.	This verse is the balance. God doesn’t always get our attention just by disciplining us. If we’re attuned to him, he can just as easily get our hearts by being good to us. Psa 103:17-18  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;  (18)  To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

God Feeds Birds French Fries

That’s just one of the great things we know about God. In the four verses we are looking at today from Ps. 119, we see he identifies with us in our trials, but doesn’t give us a pass to feel wimpy. Instead, he provides himself an example of how to handle it.

We also see that God’s judgments are righteous, and they are not always the way we would judge. Praise God for that, or none of us would be here today.

Finally, the friends we should be the closest to are the ones who walk closest with him. David himself demonstrates that. There’s plenty to think on today.

Ps. 119:61  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.	I’ve never been robbed, but I’ve been treated unjustly. In that, God taught me a lesson that I have not forgotten (mentioned in a previous blog). 1Pe 2:19-23  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  (20)  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  (21)  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. This applies to so many situations. It’s worth memorizing.
(62)  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.	His judgments are the way he handles a case. We see many examples in scripture. The written accounts of how God handled “situations” moved David to get up in the middle of the night to thank God. The building of the tower of Babel is one David could have pondered: Gen 11:4  And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. This was not pleasing to God. Notice that his judgments don’t always end with the offenders wiped off the face of the earth. Here’s God’s righteous judgment in this case. He said in Gen 11:7-9  Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.  (8)  So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.  (9)  Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. God didn’t wipe them off the earth, he scattered them throughout the earth. I want to meditate on the awesomeness of that righteous judgment.
(63)  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.	David said he was united or knit together with all them that fear God and of those who keep God’s precepts. That knitting happens naturally when we find like-minded believers. Jonathan was the one David’s heart was knit to the closest. And why was that? Because Jonathan feared God and kept his precepts. They thought and acted alike. Before David ever laid eyes on Goliath, Jonathan had whipped his own group of Philistines. Unbeknownst to anyone, Jonathan took his armor bearer to the military post of the Philistines.1Sa 14:6  And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. Read what happened. It’s amazing. So then David killed Goliath. Before he did, he told the giant, 1Sa 17:47  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. After the deed was done, Jonathan overheard David answer his father Saul’s questions about killing Goliath. 1Sa 18:1  And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. May our best friends be those who fear the Lord and keep his precepts.
(64)  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.	David is thinking beyond the mercy he sees in his own life. He’s talking about the earth—creation—being full of mercy. We know God feeds birds. Mat 6:26a  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Sometimes it’s seeds, sometimes worms, sometimes french fries. Truly, Richmond and I have marveled how God provides birds with french fries as we wait in the drive-thru line at McDonald’s and watch birds pluck fries from the parking lot and dumpster. Birds are only one example. David says the earth is full of his mercy. It’s something to watch for. And so, David asks God to teach him his statutes or prescribed actions. Maybe his thought is, “God, you do so much good. Show me from your word what I’m supposed to do.”

Use Your Solitary Time Well

What’s the best way to react with God’s word after I finish my quiet time and close my Bible? David is a great example of someone who obviously hid God’s word in his heart and thought about it and applied it throughout the day.

That says something positive about his solitary profession. He was a shepherd. He had time to reflect—out there with the sheep. He took an instrument with him and made up songs. He handled his solitary time well. He came up with the most excellent reflections on God. In fact, God inspired him. David is one of the writers of the Scriptures.

Today, there are some excellent level-setting verses in our Monday look at the next set of eight verses in Ps. 119. We are on verses 57-64. Today, I just had time to look at the first four, and they are so rich. Have a look with me.

Ps. 119:57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.	Portion means inheritance or possession.  This will seem crude and ungodly, but this verse reminds me of when I got my iPhone. It came with a pamphlet explaining what all I could do with the phone, and I devoured the manual. In the same way, I have Jesus, and I have the book that explains not only him, but the spiritual realm he is over and the God who he is and how he thinks and how he has worked from creation and his plans for my life and the world. He is my portion and I have his words. I want to commit myself afresh to keeping his words, not just reading them. I want a greater passion for applying God’s word than my initial passion for my iPhone manual.
(58)  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.	Very interesting, because intreated means sick or weak. Favour means face or presense. David is saying “I was sick and weak for your presense with my whole heart.” I wish I was that way all the time, but it often takes trials to produce that passion. His resulting prayer was “be merciful unto me according to thy word.” He appealed to God based on his word, and God’s word says God is merciful. In fact, that is part of God’s own description of himself in Ex. 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. David knew this verse. I know it too, and I have readily prayed for God’s mercy and goodness through the years. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of the Bible. We can ask for and expect mercy. I learned it from David.
(59)  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.	Self-reflection is a good idea and a lost art. This is a good reminder for me. Since I walk 3 miles each morning, I should use that time to think on my ways compared to God’s word and turn my feet to his testimonies. Psa 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. May I reckon it so.
(60)  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.	This is a great attitude. Any parent loves it when their children immediately do what they were asked. God is a parent, and he is the same. He certainly noticed David’s obedient heart. Look: Act 13:22  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. David made haste and delayed not to keep God’s commandments.

There’s a Prize at the End For Keeping God’s Testimonies

I remember a time when I was stuck spiritually. I was stale and starting to faint. I confessed to my pastor that I was only reading the New Testament and had no desire to read the Old Testament. I just couldn’t bring myself to read what I thought was boring history that had nothing to do with my life.

We prayed that day that I would have a desire to read the Old Testament, and then I started dutifully reading through it. A whole new world opened to me. There were so many stories of how God works that presented principles I could live by. The Old Testament was exactly what I needed, and still need. It’s there I find so many testimonies. I see mistakes I should avoid (and why I should avoid them!). I see faith I should emulate. I see God’s love and forbearance with his people I should remember and appreciate. I see the faithfulness of God and some of his choice servants. That’s why testimonies is my favorite word for the word in Ps. 119.

We’re on our last three of the verses today. I’m sad to see it end, because this study has refreshed my soul with some of the great Old Testament stories and principles. David wrote Ps. 119, and he clearly loved the Old Testament stories he had available to him. Little did he know that his life would provide me with additional testimonies to know, love and apply.

Psalms 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.	David surely had persecutors and enemies. Among the testimonies he had available to him was Joseph’s life: Gen 50:18-20  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.  (19)  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?  (20)  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. David could see from this that God has his unseen-at-the-time purposes. He refused to push those testimonies aside. To me, Joseph and David are testimonies of Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Psalms 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.	I also love God’s testimonies. Does my soul keep them? As long as I can remember them, I try to keep them. One of them is how to be a good wife. 1Pe 3:4-6  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  (5)  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:  (6)  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. That’s a hard testimony to keep, except in combination with another testimony. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.	Why did David (and so why should I) keep his precepts and his testimonies? Because my ways are before him. Heb 12:6-7  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? I want a testimony like the Apostle Paul’s, Php 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

God Raises Us to be Dependent

I was so young the first time I heard my parents tell me they were kicking me out of the house at age 21 that I had nightmares of my 21st birthday. I fully expected that they would usher me to the front door, toss me in the air like a bouncy ball, and literally kick me out into the front yard.

Of course, now I know what that was all about. They started me young on the idea that they were raising me to be independent. They didn’t want me to think for a second that they were taking care of me for the rest of my life.

The way God raises us spiritually is completely opposite of that. He doesn’t, for a second, want us to depend on ourselves, but on him. Think of those verses in Proverbs that astound us each time we read them: Pro 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

That is his testimony throughout the Bible. We are studying the word and concept of testimonies in Ps. 119. The word is used 23 times in that chapter. The two testimonies verses for today made me think of examples of dependence on God and not on self ability.  

Psalms 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

The testimonies of Christ are especially wonderful. More than 25 years ago, I soaked up how he handled unfair treatment, as I mentioned yesterday. To this day, I use Christ’s testimony as a guide to handling tough situations. Here it is again: 1Pe 2:22-23  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. That testimony is amazing. Can I remember to commit myself to him rather than fight for myself.

Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Sometimes his testimonies involve a commandment. Here’s one. The Spirit of the Lord is speaking in 2 Chron. 20:15&17  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's…. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. So, they believed the testimony that God commanded, and they began to sing and praise God. And here’s the rest of the story: 2Ch 20:22  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. God’s testimonies that he commanded here were righteous and very faithful. I learn from them. God raises me, not to be independent, but dependent on him. He wants to come through for me, not me for myself.

How to be a Silent Sufferer

Difficult times come, and often they start with the mouth of those who don’t appreciate us. We can spout back, or we can take it.

What? Absorb criticism? It’s a lesson I learned years ago from a testimony in the Bible. We are looking at testimonies in Ps. 119. The word is used 23 times in there. Testimonies are the stories we learn from.

To this day, if I can’t take suffering, then I didn’t really learn the most important testimony I can think of from the Bible.

Curious?

Psalms 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.	One testimony that comes to mind that I took as a heritage or possession more than 25 years ago is 1Pe 2:20-23  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  (21)  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: A boss treated me unjustly, and Christ’s testimony came to my rescue. Even to today, I commit myself to him that judgeth righteously, and it helps me to be a “silent sufferer.”
Psalms 119:119  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.	One of God’s testimonies is that he does put away the wicked like dross. He removes them. Think of the Egyptian army that drowned in the parted Red Sea, or in Esther’s day, think of the wicked Haman. The verse says God puts away all the wicked of the earth. There will come a day when all the wicked are put away like dross or scum formed on the surface of molten metal. That thought made David love God’s testimonies. God has put the wicked away before, he’ll do it again. Some day there will be no more sin.
Psalms 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.	What an awesome verse. I can read, enjoy, remember and recount the stories of the Bible. But what I need is to understand, recognize, perceive, discern or distinguish how the lessons of those stories apply.  When I know that, I will know God. I’ll recognize how he works and how he responds. His testimonies teach me those things.

How to Handle People Trials

It’s Monday morning and time for a new stanza of Ps. 119. We’re on 49-55. After reading through it several times, two things stand out. These eight verses are easiest to comprehend when looking at them in two-verse increments. And second, David presents his case for comfort. He was going through significant trials, and he encouraged himself in God by thinking on God’s word.

This group of eight verses provides an excellent example of how to make it through affliction, and particularly, people trials.

Also, in the last two verses, I see a hint of David wearing the armor of God. It might be a great study to go through the armor of God in Eph. 6 and look at David as an example of wearing and using each piece.

Ps 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  (50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.	I love that here David reminds God of the secret verse that came to his rescue when he needed it. I don’t know what David’s verse is, but I have a few secret verses, depending on the circumstances at the time, and I get hope. And those verses are my comfort in my affliction. Those secret verses raise my heart. Circumstances might be distressing, but those verses come to my emotional and spiritual rescue.
(51)  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.  (52)  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.	No doubt, Saul was the proud person that had David greatly in derision (scorning him). But David kept God’s law. And how did he handle it emotionally? He remembered God’s judgments in other cases—the way God handled other adversaries of the cause. In that, he found comfort. May I gather strength like that from the lessons the Bible teaches me.
(53)  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.  (54)  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.	I can picture David hiding in the cave as Saul pursues him to kill him. David feels horror. But, he’s a master at encouraging himself in God by turning to God’s word, in this case, God’s statutes or prescribed actions. He turns them into songs, which he takes with him on his journey.
(55)  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.  (56)  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.	When David goes to sleep, what’s on his mind? The terror of his enemy? He remembers God’s name, and the fact that he hasn’t failed God’s law or his precepts. David is very conscientious in his obedience to the Lord. He’s a particularly good example of what a life looks like that wears the armor of God, and especially the breastplate of righteousness here.

God’s Testimonies are the Break That Refreshes

It’s natural for my first response to be frustration or panic when things don’t fall into place. I had that experience today while trying to gather some elusive information for an article I’m writing. I finally had to step away from my computer before I was tempted to pick it up and throw it.

What ultimately calmed me was taking a break in the Lord. I looked at the next three “testimonies” verses in Ps. 119 and meditated on them. Ahh. How refreshing.

Take a look at them with me. Then let’s pick up again tomorrow for the next three. God’s testimony is that he always comes through.

To find the next three, go to the chart of testimonies verses at the end of my last post. Here we go.

Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.	This may be my favorite verse for testimonies, because, yes, his testimonies are my counselors. Let’s train ourselves to encourage ourselves in God by first turning to his word in emotional emergencies. That is David’s testimony. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6) Find a testimony of God’s deliverance and draw counsel from it. How many times did he deliver the Israelites in the O.T.? Countless.
Psalms 119:31  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.	I’ll stick to his testimonies when I recognize them, and I’ll trust him to not let me be put to shame by others when I do. Here’s one I’ll trust: I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalms 37:25) That’s a testimony of God David recognized and that I have stuck to for years
Psalms 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.	It’s a prayer I can pray. Lord, bend my heart toward your testimonies rather than things. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1) That’s David’s testimony. When we focus on God, we won’t want: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) God’s testimony is that he provided for David in the cave; Joseph in Egypt; Moses in the wilderness; Ruth and Naomi via Boaz; Abraham a ram in place of Isaac, etc.

Look for Jewels in Ps. 119

God’s testimonies are jewels. When I find them and observe them, I beautify my soul and my life with them.

God’s testimonies are the Bible stories I learn from. Those stories teach me what God likes, doesn’t like and how he responds to certain actions, words and hearts.

If I didn’t have the stories in the Bible to show me God, I wouldn’t know God.  Let’s observe each of the 23 verses in Ps. 119 that uses the word testimonies starting with the first three.

To the right of the verse, I’m writing my observations. You can do the same. At the end, I have the chart of all 23 verses. You can copy and paste them into a Word document and start your own worksheet. My aim for the space to the right is to write observations, prayers and examples of testimonies that help me to understand the verse.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.	When I learn God’s testimonies (the things he likes and doesn’t like and responds positively or negatively to, based on the stories I see), then I’ll keep his testimonies. I’ll apply what I learn. In John 8, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery and challenged him on whether he would deal with her according to the law (stone her). His testimony? Love and forgiveness. I should be like that. “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies.”
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.	I have to admit, riches are something to rejoice in… no more worrying about finances. Imagine. But a deeper sense of joy comes from God’s testimonies. Here’s one. In Exodus, Moses wanted to see and know God. So God testified of himself to Moses, and we get to see. I have run miles with this. Exo 34:6-7  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Psalms 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.	This one is tough, because one testimony is 2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Jesus did, we will. But I know from stories in the Bible that God can change people’s hearts on the behalf of those who walk close to him. David, who walked uprightly, keeping God’s testimonies, was often given respite from Saul’s terror. Saul would have changes of heart and quit pursuing David as an enemy. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. I can pray to be removed from reproach and contempt because God works in hearts to make it happen. That’s his testimony.

Those verses are jewels. I want to interact with each of the 23 “testimonies” verses in Ps. 119. Come along with me. Let’s beautify our souls. Here is the verse chart.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Psalms 119:22 ¶ Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:24 ¶ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalms 119:31  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
Psalms 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Psalms 119:46  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Psalms 119:59 ¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:79  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:88 ¶ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Psalms 119:95 ¶ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:99  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Psalms 119:111 ¶ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Psalms 119:119  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:129 ¶ PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Psalms 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Psalms 119:146  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:152 ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Psalms 119:157 ¶ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:167 ¶ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee

Find Mercy and Salvation Today

It’s Monday, and we’re on a journey through Ps. 119. Today, we have another group of eight verses to look at, and they are delicious. Read it with me. I’ll share my thoughts to the right, and I plan to memorize the first two verses (41 and 42). I’ve already written the eight verses out by hand, so I’ve interacted with each letter. I encourage you to do the same.

Psa 119:41-48  Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.  (42)  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.  (43)  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.  (44)  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.  (45)  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.  (46)  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.  (47)  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.  (48)  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

I’m praying for mercies and salvation (deliverance) for myself and others today. I’m recognizing with the Psalmist that those two benefits are according to God’s word. He promises mercies and salvation, so it’s perfectly within his will to grant those.  And when I have God’s mercies and salvation, I’ll have something to answer those who reproach me. That’s something I can hang on to. In vs. 45, I will walk in freedom, because I seek his precepts, which we learned are codes of wisdom or principles to guide our lives. There’s freedom in following God’s word. Freedom to speak God’s testimonies before kings without being ashamed comes when I hope and trust in God’s word (verses 42,43). The key is to love God’s word and meditate on it. The benefits are internal and eternal.That’s why a study of Ps. 119 is delicious.

Tomorrow we will start a close look at my favorite word in Ps. 119. Testimonies.

I'm Going For Peace Today

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.	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.	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.	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.	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)