“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Psalm 119.16 What is the delight of your heart? What captivates your affections and devotion? The psalmist, having written of his intent to meditate on Scripture, shows the natural outgrowth of that meditation for the believer. He delights in God’s statutes. As we commit ourselves to God’s Word, to …

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” Psalm 119.15 Here again the psalmist highlights the diligent path to purity. Keep the immediate context in mind. The psalmist answered his own question about the path to purity. It’s a path guarded by God’s Word. He devotes himself to obedience, recognizing his dependence on God for said obedience. …

“In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.” Psalm 119.14 The psalmist again exclaims his praise for God’s Word by showing us his love for Scripture’s truth. The New Testament tells us, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5.3). The psalmist displays this …

“With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.” Psalm 119.13 Scripture tells us that the contents of our hearts flow from our mouths (Luke 6.45). The psalmist affirms that truth here. Just a few verses prior, he declared his devotion to God’s Word—he has stored up Scripture in his heart. Here, we see that treasured Word flow from his …

“Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!” Psalm 119.12 In this verse, the psalmist breaks forth with praise. He has shown the blessings the believer experiences by living according to God’s Word. He extolled the divine, sovereign favor of the Lord that results from living God’s way. Now, he breaks forth with praise of God. “Blessed are you, O …

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119.11 The psalmist continues to highlight the link between God’s Word and pure living. Having cried to the Lord for protection from wandering (119.10), he now shows the faithful effort he is making to guard himself. He stores up God’s Word in his heart. …

“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” Psalm 119.10 Mankind knows no greater quest than the search for God, the passionate pursuit of the Almighty. In this verse, the psalmist declares his whole-hearted pursuit of God. He has already expressed his desire to be steadfast in obedience, to fix his eyes on God’s commands, …

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Psalm 119.9 Youth brings many blessings—energy, vitality, passion, strength. It also brings many dangers—impatience, foolishness, irresponsibility, recklessness. Young people face dangers from outside, as well as dangers of their own making. Sadly, the world offers little to no help. Schools teach a multitude of …

“I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!” Psalm 119.8 Psalm 119 offers a systematic theology of sorts on the doctrine of Scripture. Each eight-verse section extols a unique aspect of God’s Word. This first section reveals the link between the Word and the blessed walk. As the psalmist brings this first stanza to a close, he repeats …

“I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.” Psalm 119.7 Jesus told the woman at the well that those who worship God must “worship in spirit and truth.” Among the many profound truths revealed in this well-known conversation, our Lord reveals a key aspect about worship. Our praise must find its basis in biblical truth. …