Psalms Reading – 4.20.2022
Psalm 119:33-64
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law, for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.
As we continue through this massive chapter on the Word of God, today I want us to do some investigating of how the psalmist encounters God in His instructions. In the first stanza, the psalmist prays and asks God to teach him, for understanding, for direction, to turn his heart, to turn his eyes, to preserve his life, to fulfill His promise, and to take away the disgrace. He also longs for His teaching.
We, also, find the purpose or the benefit of these prayers include that he may follow, keep and obey with all his heart, find delight, be kept from selfish gain, fear God, and that his life may be preserved as he encounters the truth in God’s instruction. There are several actions and benefits in one section!
Memory Verse: Psalm 119:11, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Question(s) to Consider: It is your turn to take one or more of the stanzas, and write down how the psalmist encountered God in His word. Then write down what he identifies as the purpose or the benefits of doing so. Then take his prayer and make it your prayer for a deepening walk with God.