Psalms Reading – 4.24.2022
Psalm 119:153-176
ר Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
One other investigation that we have not done is to make the comparison between what the psalmist says about the ungodly and himself as he relates to God’s word. Though this is not as common as other investigations, it does present itself several times throughout the psalm.
In verses 152-160, he says that salvation is far from the ungodly because they do not seek the truth of God’s instructions. He also speaks about having many enemies who persecute him, but he has been faithful to God’s word. He also reveals how much he despises those who are faithless because they do not obey God’s word. In contrast to them, he says he loves and obeys God’s instructions.
As we have read through this psalm, do we find ourselves loving God’s word and desiring to obey it as much as the psalmist did? If not, what will it take for us to do so? What would happen if we fully embraced the Scriptures like he did? Maybe, the Apostle Paul can give us some additional help with that answer,
2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Memory Verse: Psalm 119:11, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Question(s) to Consider: In the other two stanzas, what comparisons do you find between the ungodly and the one who loves God’s law? How will you fully embrace God’s word in your life?