Psalm 119, Part Two

We continue our series on Psalm 119, this month studying verses 25 through 48.
Daleth marks the next set of verses, 25 – 32. It reads:

“My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word. I have declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word. Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame! I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart.”

In this section we find three requests:
• Revive me;
• Teach me; and
• Strengthen me.

The writer goes directly to God for encouragement, instruction, and strengthening. It is noteworthy that the first verse finds the author’s soul clinging to the dust; in a place of desperation. We can draw much from this about how to respond when we face such trials in life.

We should also take note that the writer is asking God for revival and strengthening “according to Your word.” How often we will be lifted and buoyed by the word of God!

When we have “chosen the way of truth,” we can encounter spiritual resistance. God’s word can be a powerful way to overcome such resistance. Our example can be found in Jesus, who responded to the temptations of Satan with the word of God.

Verse 32 brings us to 1 Kings 4:29, which states, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” What a great gift to receive from the Lord.

He is the next set of verses: 33 – 40.
“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.”

This is a continuation of asking for the Lord’s word and ways to be established. We can sense the rhythm of the writer, as he states:
• I shall keep Your statutes;
• I shall keep Your law; and,
• I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Verse 36 is a powerful prayer – incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness. We are reminded of the text in Ezekiel 33:30 – 32, “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ So they comes to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.”

We find a reference in verse 38 to 2 Samuel 7:25, “Now, O LORD God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said.” Likewise, verse 40 is an excellent prayer: “Revive me in Your righteousness.” Proverbs 12:28 states, “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” Righteousness means being in right standing with God – and the only way it can happen is through God’s righteousness, and not our own. Let’s turn to Roman 6:18 – 19: “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” In this text we find a key truth – our Master is God and His righteousness, and we are called to present ourselves as instruments of
God’s righteousness for holiness.

Our final section is Waw – verses 41 – 48.
“Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD – Your salvation according to Your word. So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances. So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love. My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love. And I will meditate on Your statutes.”

Here the writer asks for the Lord’s mercies and salvation. He prays for the word of truth to not be completely taken from his mouth. He goes on to state that he has trusted in God’s word and hoped in God’s ordinances. Verse 45 indicates that the writer will walk at liberty. This literally means he will walk in a wide place. Proverbs 4:12 states, “When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.” Also in Psalm 18:36, “You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip.” That is preceded by Ps. 18:19, “He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.”

May we be found faithful to meditate upon the word of God, to reflect upon His testimonies, His promises, and to pray in some of the ways shown to us in this Psalm.