READ Psalm 119
This longest Psalm is unusual. It is divided into twenty-two stanzas denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains eight verses, and the first letter of each verse is that which gives name to the stanza. In it, the writer praises God’s Word, exhorts readers to study and reverence it, prays for its influence, and complains of the wicked for despising it. It is also evidence that the purpose of God’s Law is to show His people how to live, not to give them eternal salvation for keeping it.
Before reading it, I read a prayer that also understood the purpose of the Law. That writer said it drove Him to Jesus and to receiving faith to trust Him for forgiveness and as His righteousness. When that happened, everything began to change. He is learning to love God’s law as “fatherly instruction to your beloved children, as a revelation of the good, the true, and the beautiful, not as a formula for merit, acceptance, and favor. What a life-giving, liberty-fueling difference!”
This prayer goes on to ask that the gospel continues to free him from “cheap grace” that ignores God’s law, and from graceless legalism that ignores God’s Son. He longs for the day when Jesus, who has perfectly fulfilled the law, perfectly fulfills the law in him. I see this same desire in the writer of this wonderful psalm. He knows that God saves, but not through law-keeping. He also knows that the Law is life — real living. When God is obeyed, life is a great adventure that cannot be compared to doing things ‘my way’ which is sin and selfishness.
The Psalm is rich. I was particularly blessed by reading two of its stanzas that affirm how the ways of God are for my good. When I live according to His direction, my life is truly abundant:
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! (Psalm 119:33–40)
Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. (Psalm 119:169–176)
Twice he asks for understanding. Without God’s answer to that prayer, all readers will assume that this is about earning salvation by good behavior, a principle that is not true. If it were even possible, Jesus Christ had no reason to come and to die for our sins.
He also asks that God turns his heart toward Him, turns him away from sin and delivers him — impossible without the grace of God. Simply put, he wants the Law of God to help him, to keep him on the right path and prevent him from wandering. This psalmist also knows that when God is at work in His saving ways, he will be filled with praise, delighted in God and in His Word.
Oh Lord, never let me be too busy, too satisfied with myself, or so forgetful that I stop longing for the righteous life that You alone give to me with great blessing. Praise Your holy name and praise for Your precepts that are designed that Your people have a wonderfully rich and full life!