Psalm 119:161-168 “Shin”
Psalm 119:161161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words. (ESV)
One of the common themes throughout this psalm is the theme of finding refuge in God’s word during times of persecution or crisis. When we are faced with trouble, is our first reaction to reach for the bible? Is it even our second or third reaction?
Psalm 119:162162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil. (ESV)
David convicts us with His zeal for God’s law, not only in times of trouble, but at all times. We may enjoy God’s law, we may value it, we may even get excited about reading it. But do we treat it as if we just found a pile of gold? And indeed, we have.
Psalm 119:163163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law. (ESV)
What a simple praise for God and His word. But what a deeply felt praise.
Psalm 119:164164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules. (ESV)
I’m sure David praised God even more than seven times a day, but do we even do that much? Perhaps David made it a point to praise Him seven times a day specifically for His righteous judgments, praising Him at other times throughout the day for other reasons. I’m sure it wasn’t a formalized ritual, but do we take the time to praise Him throughout our workday?
Psalm 119:165165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble. (ESV)
Here we see a hint of perseverance – the idea that the saints are secure in their hope and salvation. Do we take peace in this? Do we ever worry about our salvation? Indeed, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, but do we worry that we could lose it? Fear not, because we are kept by the power of God through faith!
Psalm 119:166166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments. (ESV)
And David here realizes this hope. He realizes the hope he has for salvation, through God’s commandments and mercy, and the hope he has that all of God’s promises will come to pass – about David, about Christ, about the end of time.
Psalm 119:167167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly. (ESV)
Our soul is what indeed keeps God’s laws – not our flesh, not our minds even, though we are commanded to love him with our mind. It is our soul, our renewed spirit, which keeps God’s commands, and loves them exceedingly.
Psalm 119:168168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you. (ESV)
David knows that God sees all. Everything that we do is seen by God. We cannot ever hide in a dark corner and decide to there break His precepts, for He shall still see. Let us glory in that, that all our ways are before Him. Amen!
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