“My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.” Psalm 119.171
As the psalmist continues this final stanza of the poem, his prayer continues to rise to a crescendo. Here, his lips overflow with praise. It’s as if the dam has broken and he cannot stop the praise from pouring out.
He has considered long the excellency of God’s Word. He has pled with God for understanding. Now, because God has taught him, because God has granted him understanding, his lips pour forth praise. His joy is uncontrollable. He cannot contain his exultation. The wellspring of his heart—a heart transformed by God’s Word—gushes forth praise to the Almighty.
This ought to be the primary response of our hearts to all of our study in Scripture. Before anything else, a right understanding of God’s Word ought to lead us to praise God. We ought not be able to contain our praise. It should show in all that we think, say, and do.
How has your study of Scripture affected your worship? What is the focus and content of your speech? How often is it filled with praise of God, specifically praise for teaching you his Word? How often do you respond to biblical truth with praise for God?
Gracious King, we praise you, for you are the only one worthy of our praise. Teach us from your Word, O Lord, that our lips might sing your praise and our lives might be lived to your glory. Amen.