GOD'S WORD AN INNER POWER Psalms 119:1 This long and noble psalm is devoted to the praise of God's Word, which is mentioned in every verse but one, Psalms 119:122. Probably if we were to substitute _Will_ for _Word_ we should not be far wrong. The earnest desire of the writer was that his will sho... [ Continue Reading ]
A PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING Psalms 119:17 These verses are full of yearning and unsatisfied desire. The soul breaks for longing, cleaves to the dust, and melts for heaviness. We are reminded of the complaint of a godly man, uttered two centuries and a half ago: “If God had not said, ‘Blessed are th... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVE FOR GOD'S COMMANDS Psalms 119:33 Twice over the psalmist says, “thy commandments which I have loved,” and then proceeds to give the key to perfect love of them in the words, “I will _meditate_ in thy statutes.” Fugitive moments spent over God's Word will never lead to a deep and fervent affect... [ Continue Reading ]
COMFORTED BY GOD'S JUDGMENTS Psalms 119:49 Rays of comfort begin to steal into the psalmist's heart. _Thou hast caused me to hope; this is my comfort in my affliction; thy statutes have been my songs; at midnight I will rise to give thanks_. Often prayer clears itself as it proceeds. It is the repe... [ Continue Reading ]
PROFITING FROM AFFLICTION Psalms 119:65 _ Before I was afflicted, I went astray; it is good for me that I have been afflicted; thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me_. Here is the far-off interest of our tears. God measures out our sorrows and the trials which cause them. But our condition requires... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD THAT STANDS FAST Psalms 119:81 They persecute wrongfully; they dig pits; they have almost consumed; they have waited to destroy; but thy Word abides steadfast. The driven soul flees to the cleft of the Rock and hides there. At the beginning of our religious life we rest on the assurances... [ Continue Reading ]
“THY WORD IS A LAMP, UNTO MY FEET” Psalms 119:97 The psalmist cries, _O how love I thy law!_ He then proceeds to say that he has become wiser than his enemies and has more understanding than all his teachers. But this is not to be wondered at, because love is so quick and unerring in its intuition... [ Continue Reading ]
“TIME FOR THE LORD TO WORK” Psalms 119:113 There is an ineradicable difference between the child of God and evil-doers, and the believer does not want to be involved in their fate. Therefore he bids them depart from him. But though we know that in the end the wicked shall be put away as the dross,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY LOVE GOD'S WORD? Psalms 119:129 What a beautiful soul this is that utters itself in these stanzas! The psalmist acknowledges his simplicity; is quite content to be among the unknown and despised of men. He is very anxious to be free from iniquity and transgression. He sheds bitter tears as he... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JOY OF COMMUNION WITH GOD Psalms 119:145 There is great eagerness in the psalmist's prayerfulness. He calls with his whole heart; he awakes before the dawn and continues long after the fall of night; he asks that his case may be considered, his cause pleaded, and his soul quickened. When we dra... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHOVAH INSPIRES CONTINUAL PRAISE Psalms 119:161 What a noble conclusion we reach in these closing stanzas! _I rejoice at thy word; thy law do I love; seven times a day do I praise thee; let my lips utter praise; let my tongue sing; let my soul live and it shall praise thee._ There are many beautif... [ Continue Reading ]