Read Psalm 119 D (v 97 -128)
מ Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
Go Deeper
Editor’s Note
This week, we’re changing our rhythm. Normally we read one chapter a day, but this week we’re going to spread out this one chapter over the next six days. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in all of Scripture, so squeezing it all into one day could make it hard to absorb. While we don’t know who wrote this psalm, we do know that it was written as a collection of thoughts and prayers largely focused on one main idea: God’s Word. Today, we’ll read verses 97-128. Thanks for reading along!
Go Deeper.
It is clear by now that the author of Psalm 119 loves God’s Word. Throughout today’s reading, he states its many benefits: God’s word makes us wise (v. 99), teaches us how to live (v. 102), keeps us from going down the wrong path (v. 101), gives understanding (v. 100), and lights our way (v. 105). The author loves God’s Word because of how it enriches and blesses his life.
But he doesn’t utter these words without trial. The words he says here aren’t empty phrases; they’ve been tested by fire. Verses 110-128 talk about the writer’s desperate situation. He is oppressed by the wicked and overwhelmed by evil-doers who disregard God’s way. Everywhere he looks, people are walking down the wrong path. When he finds himself alone in his pursuit of God, he looks to God’s Word to sustain him (v. 116), deliver him (v. 117), and provide refuge (v. 114).
What do you do when you feel alone? What do you do when your back is against the wall? Where do you turn? The world around us is dark. At times, it’s easy to feel alone in our faith. When we do, we should follow the example of this psalmist and turn to God’s Word. Let God’s own voice remind us of who He is and who we are in Him. When we can’t find our way, let’s find comfort in the fact that what was true thousands of years ago, when the author penned this psalm, is still true today: God’s word is a lamp for our feet, a light on our path (v. 105).
Questions
- What benefits of reading God’s Word have you seen in your own life? How does it enrich and bless your life?
- Have you ever felt alone in your faith? Have you ever felt oppressed by people around you who disregard God? Where do you turn when you feel like that?
- Let God’s voice speak to you today. Using Scripture, write down 5 attributes of God and then 5 things that God says you are in Him.
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1 thought on “Psalm 119 D (v. 97-128)”
Praying for an undivided heart to follow hard after God’s Word with loyalty and integrity. I fall short, but returning again and again to the lamp of His Word illuminates my path.
5 attributes of God: Hope, Comfort, Light, Love, Righteous
Who I am in Him: Instructed, Sustained, Redeemed, Favored, Wise