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
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.
Listen Here
Listen to this song based on Psalm 119 from Ellie Holcomb.
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3 thoughts on “Psalm 119: Part Four (v. 97-128)”
. If you desire to, you can increase your love for God’s word. You can’t make yourself love something or someone; but you can cultivate love toward someone or something.
Give it your time; set it before you constantly.
Give it your attention and care; look after the word of God (it is my meditation all the day).
Give it a truly listening ear.
Give it your honor and your obedience.
Give it your appreciation; value it for all the good it has done for you and be thankful for all that good.
Give it your dependence and trust; let it care for you.
Give it your praise; speak highly of it before others. (from Enduring Word commentary)
These words are a gold mine. There is so much information within this chapter we could dwell on one verse a day and would glean God’s heart. My mind is so tumbling about with thoughts about these few verses.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
God thank You for Your Word being so illuminating. Thank You that is lighting my path one step at a time. Help me to not rush my own steps with You. Help me to walk worthy (Ephesians 4:1).To be uprightly (Isaiah 57:2). To look to You for my light and to be in the light (1 John 1:7). Thank You God that I walk humbly (Micah 6:8). God always always I am so amazed at Your Word and how You are teaching me. Thank You for guidance today in these minutes. Thank You for illuminating people through Your love goggles. God give me ears to listen and Your words to share that glorify You today. God thank You again for lighting my path from Your Word in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
I have clung tightly to this verse for decades! In a confusing, uncertain world, I desperately need God’s lamp and His light to guide me!
Our Life Group recently read John Mark Comer’s book Practicing the Way, and now we are doing the accompanying 8 week course on spiritual formation. This week our “practice” is daily reading of scripture. I never want to lose the awe that what I have readily available in so many formats to embrace, holy scripture, has been preserved for thousands of years to introduce the Savior of the world, so that I might walk in forgiveness of sins and pursue righteousness. It’s something I must intentionally choose daily to feed my mind, heart & soul. I echo the psalmist in v11, “ Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.”