The Conclusion: Gospel

“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.” Psalm 119.176 This is it—the conclusion of this amazing psalm. For 175 verses, the poet has extolled the virtues of God’s Word. He has sung the praise of Scripture. He has long meditated on the truth of God. And, what is his …

Guiding Our Praise

“Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.” Psalm 119.175 The psalmist is quickly approaching the end of his epic poem. As he does, he returns to one of his most oft-repeated themes. He prays for the providence of the Lord. He wants the Lord to preserve his very life. In this, the poet gives …

Anticipation and Delight

“I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.” Psalm 119.174 The poet has prayed for deliverance according to God’s Word (170). Now, he lives in anticipation and longing to experience his salvation. This is true of every believer, every faithful follower of Christ. The Lord has provided deliverance according to his Word. Now, our life …

Pleading for Protection

“Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.” Psalm 119.173 As the psalmist continues his final appeal, he again pleads with the Lord for protection. He calls for the Lord to be ready, to have his hand of protection ready. He anticipates his need for protection and seeks the Lord for it. Why does …

Singing of the Word

“My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.” Psalm 119.172 The beloved poet continues to sing praise of God’s Word. In the previous verse he wrote of the effusive nature of his praise. His praise poured forth praise in reaction to understanding God’s Word. In this verse, we see the content of his effusive praise. …

Abundant Praise

“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 …

Pleading for Deliverance

“Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.” Psalm 119.170 The psalmist again calls on the Lord, switching from “cry” to “plea’ (ESV). This serves to enforce his earnestness. It’s a repeated appeal for the Lord to hear him, acknowledging that he remains at the mercy of God. Having appealed again for understanding (169), he now …

Pleading for Understanding

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word!” Psalm 119.169 With this verse, the psalmist opens the final stanza of this epic poem. His prayer increases in earnestness. He is making his final plea. Each verse in this stanza contains at least one synonym for the Word of God. He wants deliverance according …

All My Ways

“I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you.” Psalm 119.168 Yesterday’s post looked at the testimony of the psalmist’s inner man. He professed to love the Lord from the very depths of his soul. Out of that flows this verse and the testimony of his life. Here, he professes his obedience to the Word of …

Exceeding Love

“My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.” Psalm 119.167 Here, the psalmist gives testimony to his faithfulness. He has kept God’s Word. But notice, that he doesn’t appeal to any list of accomplishments, to any list of religious works. Instead, he appeals to his soul’s testimony. His inner man has kept the Word of God by faith.  Out …