Devoted Prayer

“I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies.” Psalm 119.146 The inspired poet continues this section, one that is filled with prayers of devotion, by highlighting the most basic prayer of the believer. This prayer may seem simple, but it has profound truth. First, this prayer reveals the one he prays to, and the one we …

Pure Desperation

“With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes.” Psalm 119.145 Few things picture desperation like the cry of an infant. Incapable of doing anything else—unable to give even the slightest effort in providing for himself—the baby cries out for its mother. It’s one of the sweetest sounds in the world, the cry of pure longing that …

Righteous Forever

“Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119.144 This verse brings to a close the current stanza. Remember, this stanza opened with singing of God’s righteousness (137). Here, the poet drives the point home that God’s perfect, unending righteousness necessarily means that his Word is righteous. The psalmist makes the point here that the …

Anguish and Delight

“Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.” Psalm 119.143 The psalmist often makes his point by using stark contrast. It’s a common tactic of Hebrew poetry, which relies heavily on various forms of parallelism. This verse is a prime example of the technique. The poet contrasts the trouble and anguish he receives from the world …

True Righteousness

“Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.” Psalm 119.142 One of the greatest lies man has ever convinced himself of is that truth is relative. Many a man has foolishly accepted the notion that truth and righteousness are determined by time, context, culture, or a host of other societal pressures. That thinking is not only flawed. It’s …

Small and Despised

“I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.” Psalm 119.141 Following the Word of God is not a path to fame, popularity, and vast worldly influence. Rather, it is likely a way to pain, derision, and persecution. The world has rejected the ways of God. Scripture, to them, is foolishness and vain myths. That means that …

Well Tried

“Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.” Psalm 119.140 The psalmist continues this stanza that sings of the righteousness of God’s Word. Here, he points to the fact that the promises of God are well tried—that is they have been tested. They have been put through the fire of the ages and come out pure, undefiled in …

Righteous Zeal

“My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.” Psalm 119.139 What motivates your zeal for the Lord? The psalmist here speaks of his zeal. He is consumed, as though engulfed in flame, with zeal for the word of God. This is in contrast with the world, with his foes who dismiss God’s Word. This is easy to see …

Righteous and Sure

“You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.” Psalm 119.138 Every word of God is true. All of his promises are sure. This is true because God’s Word flows from his righteous character. The psalmist dwells on this truth in the verse we’re looking at today, an extension of the thoughts we began to look at yesterday. …

God’s Righteous Word

“Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules.” Psalm 119.137 This verse opens a new stanza of the psalm, one that extols the righteousness of God’s Word. Scripture is righteous because the Lord is righteous. That is the straight-forward truth conveyed in this verse. It’s not difficult to understand the truth the psalmist puts forward here. Still, it’s …