“My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.” Psalm 119.136 When you turn on the news and see all of the horror around you—when you consider society’s rapidly increasing decline into debauchery—what is your response? The psalmist models the faithful response for us in this verse. He has lamented and prayed for deliverance from evil …

“Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.” Psalm 119.135 The poet sang of his need for guidance and protection from iniquity (133). He then sang of his need for deliverance from worldly oppression (134). Here, he sings of his need for teaching for the Lord. He longs for communion, for the Lord’s face to shine …

“Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.” Psalm 119.134 The first half of this stanza contains the psalmist’s praise for how the Word of God guides his obedience (129-132). In the second half, he songs the praises of God’s protection from disobedience (133-136). That began in the verse we looked at yesterday, where the psalmist considered …

“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” Psalm 119.133 Previously, the poet appealed for God to deal with him graciously, because he knew of God’s—through God’s Word—of how God deals with those who love him (132). Here, he prays for protection, for the Lord to steady his steps and guard him …

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.” Psalm 119.132 The psalmist has been singing of the value of God’s Word. He has dwelt on the testimonies of God. He has meditated on the precepts of the Lord. Because of this, he knows the ways of the Lord; he knows …

“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.” Psalm 119.131 What an exaltation of the value of God’s Word! The psalmist’s praise is building here. He began this stanza singing of the wonders of God’s testimonies (129). Then, he sang of Scripture’s ability to give light and understanding to the simple (130). Knowing these truths, he …

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119.130 Here, the psalmist celebrates one of the most profound and universal truths of Scripture. That the author of Scripture is God necessarily means that it contains wisdom high above the highest of earthly wisdom. In comparison to the word of God, every person is simple. …

“Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.” Psalm 119.129 The current verse marks the opening of a new stanza in this epic psalm. This section contains pure exaltation, perhaps the height of praise in the poem. That begins with this opening verse, where the poet sings of his wonder at the testimonies of the Lord. This wonder drives …

“Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.” Psalm 119.128 This verse ends the current stanza, and serves as a culmination of a string of statements that build upon one another. The poet has seen that God’s righteousness and justice compel God to act when his law is broken (126). Because of that, he …

“Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.” Psalm 119.127 When understood on its face, this verse exalts the value of God’s word. When understood in the context of the previous verse, the psalmist’s praise reaches new heights. In the previous verse, the poet spoke of the Lord acting, the Lord bringing justice, because his law had been …