Read Psalm 119 F (v. 161 - 176)
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.
Go Deeper
We have come to the final stanzas of what ended up being the longest chapter in the Bible, and the Psalmist eloquently sums up how much he loves God’s Word. Verse 161 says, “…but my heart stands in awe of your words.” Verse 167 says, “My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.” Verse 174 proclaims, “I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.” These statements should cause all of us to think about, “What do we stand in awe of?”; “What do we love exceedingly?”; “What do we long for?” Is it the Word of God?
We also get a glimpse into where the Psalmist’s awe, exceeding love, and longing stems from. The beginning of Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law.” This is a simple cause and effect equation: IF you love God’s Word, THEN you will have great peace. The writer of this passage has adoration for the Word of God because amidst persecution, it is where he has found refuge. We know from earlier verses in this chapter that the Psalmist was literally on the verge of death, yet despite fear, he found hope in the promises of God. All 176 verses of this psalm are a personal testimony to us that no matter what we are facing, we can find refuge, hope, and peace by loving God’s Word.
The entirety of Psalm 119:165 reads “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” The second half of the verse has also been translated as “…and nothing shall offend them (KJV)” or “…and nothing can defeat them (NCV).” In a world full of stumbling blocks, offensive topics, and situations to feel defeated by, we are given the promise that God’s Word will protect us and give us peace.
So as we come to a close on our study of this chapter, we can reflect on what we have learned from the whole: the Word of God is true; the Word of God is sufficient; and the Word of God is powerful. This is a chapter that we can refer back to and learn from when we need to be reminded of these truths. As a team, we are grateful that you have taken the step to join us in the Bible Reading Plan. It is our prayer that as you continue reading God’s Word with us you will stand in awe of God’s promises, your love of God and His Word will grow exceedingly, and that you will long to know more of our gracious Father’s testimonies.
Questions
- List a few things that you love exceedingly. Compare that with your love for the word of God.
- When you find yourself fearful, persecuted, or hopeless, what do you turn to?
- Are you easily offended or often irritated? Commit Psalm 119:165 to memory and repeat it to yourself when you find yourself in those situations.
Listen Here
Now that we have completed this passage, listen to this commentary on Psalm 119 from Tara-Leigh Cobble and The Bible Recap.
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3 thoughts on “Psalm 119: Part Six (v. 161-176)”
“Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble” (v165).
What a great reminder as we move toward the presidential election in November. Loving means practicing God’s precepts, then peace follows. Instead of being fractured & contentious, what if we were marked by great peace?
I am super sad to be to the end of this chapter. I am contemplating taking a verse a day from this particular chapter and ruminating on it for a day, there are 176 vs so doing it twice in the year would let me dwell verse by verse almost the complete year. vs 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! That is a great way to think. When we set God’s law in our heart and walk in His ways we are blameless. vs 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. God is running after us at all times, we are the ones going astray. BUT GOD chases after the one. I am so thankful for the BRP and all those who have poured into making it happen.
God thank You for running after me. Thank You that Your ways are best. God I desire to walk in the law of You so that I can be blameless. God thank You for when I go astray You seek after me. My head knowledge knows what I should do and I am sorry that my flesh is still seeking selfishness. God thank You that I will continue to hold to the hope I profess. Thank You for me being an encouragment to others and for their encouragament to me helping to spur me on toward love and good deeds. God I am so gratful thankful and blessed beyond words that You so Hessed me. Your love is unending, so faithful and amazing, beyond words to express. Thank You for this day, these minutes that I can show someone who You are by my actions. Thank You for Your words coming out of my mouth and Your love goggles showing me Your people in Jesus name amen
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
Interesting how specific this is! Putting spiritual discipline into daily activities can be very helpful. For me, as a matter of habit, I try to pray whenever I come to a stop light or ride an elevator (not a lot if those in Waco!).