Psalm 119:137-144 “Tsadde”

(Editorial note: You know you haven’t been faithful with a “daily series” when the most recent entry has dropped off of the “Previous Posts” list!)

Psalm 119:137

137 Righteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules. (ESV)

How many times have we heard the criticism that the idea of hell or eternal punishment is unfair? How many times have we heard, “I can’t believe in a God who would…”? Like Paul, we say “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?” (Romans 9:20) And indeed, with David, we say, God’s judgments are indeed upright, simply because they are God’s.

Psalm 119:138

138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness. (ESV)

Again, his judgments, his testimonies, his commandments are righteous and faithful to us. There is no shadow of turning in God, and everything he does is 100% loving, 100% merciful, 100% just, and 100% righteous…

Psalm 119:139

139 My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words. (ESV)

David was consumed with zeal against those who rejected God. Are we?

Psalm 119:140

140 Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it. (ESV)

My pastor recently preached on John 8:31: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.’” Do we love God’s word and abide in it as both David exhorts us and Christ commands us?

Psalm 119:141

141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts. (ESV)

Here the psalmist recognizes his own humble position before God, but he also does not forget his duty.

Psalm 119:142

142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true. (ESV)

All of God’s attributes are everlasting, as is His truth. His truth does not change from generation to generation. As Spurgeon said,

Do men really believe that there is a gospel for each century? Or a religion for each fifty years? Will there be in heaven saints saved according to a score sorts of gospel?

The answer to his question is, of course, no. For God’s righteousness is everlasting, and His law is truth.

Psalm 119:143

143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight. (ESV)

Even in the midst of trouble, do we take joy in the word of God, and pursuing His good pleasure? Sometimes when I am faced with challenges, the last thing I want to do is look into His word. But that should be my first refuge, like David.

Psalm 119:144

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live. (ESV)

Again, God’s testimonies are everlasting. And when He gives us understanding through His Spirit, we truly live and shall die no more. Amen.