GOD’S WORD DELIGHTS
We experience joy as we follow God’s Word. The theme of Psalm 119 is to delight in the Word of God. So when we hear the word “delight”, what comes to mind? How about joy and happiness? We know that the pursuit of happiness is one of the three aspects of the Declaration of Independence. The other two are life and liberty. Many people want the liberty to pursue happiness their way without any thought of God. There is even a company whose slogan is: “Have it your way”. Yet God created us and knows what will bring us contentment and joy. God has revealed that through His Word, and when we follow His Word, we experience a joy far beyond any human pursuit of happiness. God’s Word is not an academic exercise. It is a matter of applying God’s Word to our life, living by His commandments. We are entering the happiest, joist time of the year and as we think about the real reason for the season, it should be the most “delightful” time of our lives.
Read Psalm 119:1-3
Each verse in this longest psalm is built around a different word which is a synonym for the word of God. The word “law” occurs 25 times; “word” appears 23 times; “statutes” and “commandments” are used 22 times each; “surety, appointment and faithfulness” are used once. The basic theme of the psalm is the law of God. The psalm rhymes in the original Hebrew, and it is an acrostic.
The poet sang the praise of the law under all kinds of circumstances: persecution, false accusation, temptation, and intellectual doubt. Psalm 19:7-10 is restated in Psalm 119. The author is listed as anonymous but some suggest Ezra, who was the priest and poet after the Temple was rebuilt (Ezra 6:14-15). The Law is not a substitute for God, but a guide to doing His Will. It is not a burden to the psalmist but a joy. The Law enables the poet to live in communion with God. The “Statutes” represent the written Law of God. The “Word” is a dynamic communication of God’s Will for mankind. Sometimes the Law is also presented as “promise”. The point of the psalm is that obedience to God’s Law is the way to happiness. The poet asked divine help in understanding and keeping the Law (vv.1-8).
God’s blessing is achieved by a person’s lifestyle, which is described as blameless. Being “blameless” means to stand before God without having fault by living according to God’s instruction, as indicated in verse one!
Repetitive meditation on the beauty of God’s Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith. Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse beginning with the letter of its section. Almost every verse mentions God’s Word. Such repetition was common in the Hebrew culture. People did not have personal copies of the Scripture to read as we do. So God’s people memorized His Word and passed it along orally. The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization. Remember, God’s Word, the Bible, is the only sure guide for living a pure life.
So what do you believe is the purpose of the Law? (The Law gives us instructions on what is sin. The law does not save us, but tells us what sin is so we can ask for God’s forgiveness. Remember, Abraham was a child of God and he had neither the Law nor Jesus – yet.)
Read Psalm 119: 4-6
The psalmist moves from talking about God’s Word to speaking directly to God in verse 4-6. The psalmist addressed God Himself, the One who reveals His precepts, which He requires that all people diligently keep. The author’s words reflect God’s authority as the creator to direct and instruct His creation (us) in the way that is best, both in the sense of what is according to His perfect character and will, and what is best for us. Doing this, His intention is for us to reach our highest potential. To do this requires obedience that acknowledges God’s authority, keeping His precepts diligently and confessing our shortcomings. The word “precepts” is used 21 times in Psalm 119 and refers to particular rules governing thinking or acting. God gives precepts to help us learn how to think and live in ways that reflect His character and bring honor to Him. The psalmist passionately desired to obey God’s Word.
In reading verse 5 and 6, it is hard at times to distinguish where the psalmist’s testimony ends and prayer begins. In verse 5 the words “if only” imply a desire that is not completely fulfilled. The psalmist’s desire was for his commitment to God and His Word to be singular and unshakable. The prayer of the psalmist was that he might keep God’s statutes. The Hebrew word “chog”, translated “statutes” or “decree” means what was clearly established, appointed or enacted such as a law, commandment, or decree. In relation to God, the term denotes binding commands or laws that God requires His people to obey.
The psalmist emphasized all God’s command. So many people (Christians and non-Christians alike) seem to think that God’s Word is like a cafeteria line where they can pick and choose what they want to follow. In using the word “all”, the psalmist rejected any such line of faulty reasoning. Are we smarter than the Creator- God? This points to the personal application we must make if God is truly our God. We will have no cause for being ashamed.
Read Psalm 119: 7-8
A sincere heart has the meaning of being straight or level as opposed to being twisted or crooked. It aligns in meaning with God’s “righteous judgments”. It means that one’s thought or actions are in accordance with God’s standards. God’s Word reflects the character of God, especially righteousness. The psalmist praise was done with a sincere heart. The psalmist’s praise was from his learning God’s judgments or ordinances to give the security that people need. God is faithful (always consistent); so we can trust that His judgements always provide us with the right way to live. We need to have no fear when we live according to God’s ways. The first step is salvation- repentance and placing faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins.
The result of praising God for His righteous judgements for the psalmist- and for all people today who are wise- was a promise that he would keep God’s statutes and a plea that God would not abandon him. Verse 8, “I will keep your statutes” is a promise, a vow, or a goal. To the extent we lean on God’s presence, we’ll obey His commands. This is true today as it has always been. We must lean on God’s presence and power to obey His commands. We sometimes fall short- despite of our best intentions due to our sinful nature. We need to thank God for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins and through the power of His Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence we can live lives of obedience to His Word.