“Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!” Psalm 119.116 The life of obedience is a faithful testimony to the promises of God. In the previous verse, the poet demanded that evildoers depart from him, that he might obey the commands of the Lord. Here, he begs …

“Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.” Psalm 119.115 This verse (truly, every verse) cannot be separated from its context. Because the psalmist loves the law of God (113), because God is his shield and God’s word gives him hope (114), he wants no part with evildoers. He commands them to depart from …

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” Psalm 119.114 When surrounded by vain hypocrites (113) and evildoers (115) the poet finds refuge in God and hope in God’s word. The Lord is his refuge and defense. He rests confidently in God, because Scripture has revealed this hope to him. God’s word reveals his righteous …

“I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.” Psalm 119.113 With this, the psalmist opens a new stanza. This section will set forth a number of contrasts between the psalmist, who’s devoted to the word of God, and the wicked enemies surrounding him. The contrast is clear from the outset of the stanza. He hates the double-minded—that is the …

“I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.” Psalm 119.112 With this verse, the poet brings another stanza of this amazing psalm to a close. This section has focused on the way God’s word serves as a guide to him, keeping his path lit in the midst of a dark world. With the word of God …

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” Psalm 119.111 The word of God is the eternal heritage of the faithful. It has come down to us by the sovereign revelation of the Father. Scripture has been preserved through the centuries, treasured by the saints of old, protected by the blood of martyrs, preserved …

“The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.” Psalm 119.110 This verse gives a parallel to the previous verse. The psalmist is continually having to defend his life (109) because the wicked have laid a snare for him (110). In response to these enemies, he commits himself to remembering the law of …

“I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.” Psalm 119.109 Here, the psalmist returns to a common theme of this amazing psalm—acknowledging the dangers he faces. His enemies have come up several times (21-23; 39; 42; 50-53; 61; 69-71; 78; 84-88; 95; 98). In this verse, the poet again lays out the extent …

“Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules.” Psalm 119.108 In the previous verse, the psalmist sang of the life-giving power of God’s word. Having received that life from the Lord, the poet offers his praise. Notice that his praise is offered freely, even joyously. His praise is not out of obligation, though he is …

“I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!” Psalm 119.107 Having seen the word’s ability to light his path (105) and committed himself to God’s righteous rules (106), the poet returns to a repeated theme of this amazing psalm. He reaffirms his dependence on God. The poet understands well the benefits of God’s word, having …