Psalm 119:113–120 NKJV
113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God! 116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually. 118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood. 119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments. What does it mean to be double-minded? The term is used here and in the New Testament in James 1:8. James 1:8 NKJV he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Although these two verses are in two languages, the Psalms in Hebrew and the Letter of James in Greek, the meaning is the very same. It means a division within a person´s soul. The soul of a person includes his or her mind, emotions, and will. It is in our soul that we think, feel, and decide.
Although he does not say so here, David certainly had times that he himself was double-minded. But he didn´t like it. He did not want to be that way. So he lashes out at others that are that way lest they drag him back into double-mindedness with them. This stanza of Psalm 119 tells us how David overcame double-mindedness, so it can be very instructive and helpful to each of us who also hate to go through the conflict of soul that James said makes us unstable. Allow me please to paraphrase to try to verbalize the truths the Holy Spirit is sharing here though His servant David. 113 – I hate you people whose soul is always conflicted over right and wrong, but I love God´s law (in which there is never such a conflict.) 114 – Lord, in this stability, You are a refuge to me and my protecting shield. Through this, You give me hope! 115 – Get away from me you evil double-minded folks. I will stick with the unchanging, undivided commandments of my God! 116 – Hold me up, God, as Your Word promises, so that I will never be ashamed of declaring You as my hope. 117 – If You hold me up, I will be safe! Because I know this is true, I will obey Your statutes continually. 118 – Lord, You reject those who disobey Your statutes, because out of their being willfully deceived, they speak the lie. 119 – You destroy all the wicked like the refuse. Therefore I set myself to love every word You give. 120 – I tremble in awe, reverential fear, of You, Almighty God. I am afraid of Your fearsome judgments upon those who do not believe.
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Psalm 119:105–112 NKJV
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. 108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your judgments. 109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. 111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end. I used to be a Boy Scout. My troop was a camping troop, which meant that we went camping one weekend a month. Our adult leaders decided that we would also be a “primitive camping” troop, which meant that we trained and practiced camping without the usual comforts.
I do, however, remember forgetting my flashlight once. I could not have chosen a worse time. It was a camp out that preceded my induction into The Order of the Arrow, an honor organization for Scouting. It was one of those “ten pound pack” only trips. Somehow, I failed to pack my flashlight. I did not know I had forgotten until after a five mile night hike, a Senior Scout caught me by the shoulder and shoved me into the woods. He said, “Walk 20 yards and make your camp there.” I stepped into the thick undergrowth and felt my way about five yards in. There I stopped and waited for the rest of the scouts to move on down the path as the Senior Scouts directed the others to their camping place. Each of us was alone in the woods. I dug in my pack for my flashlight. That is when I discovered it was not there. If the moon was shining, I couldn´t tell. The trees, bushes, and vines seemed woven into an impenetrable mat. When I realized that I had failed to bring a flashlight, I was petrified. I was, however, also determined to make it through the night without calling out for help. “Surviving” the night in total silence, alone in the woods in your own camp was a requirement for being inducted into The Order of the Arrow. I wanted in, and I made up my mind to do it. I did, but it was indescribably difficult. I walked the 20 yards in, feeling my way. I tied my poncho to branches to make a makeshift tent. I pulled out my bedding and went to sleep on the leaves. I was never so glad to see the light of morning! The situation caused me to think about the poor souls that are totally blind. They cannot see the light nor anything illuminated by the light. Those who are spiritually blind are in even worse shape.
How sad to be in the middle of dark woods and not have a light. How much greater is the sadness of not reading and believing the Word of the Lord and walking day by day in darkness rather than the light. Psalm 119:97–104 NKJV
97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. 102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. David says, “Oh how I love God´s Word!” It makes me wiser than … Wiser than what or who? And he offers us a list. 1. The Word of God makes me wiser than my enemies.
For reproof For correction For instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16b) However, God´s Word only makes us wiser if we meditate upon it. 97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. To meditate means “to chew on something over and over.” We cannot meditate on something we do not already have firmly planted in our mind. Therefore, a prerequisite of meditation is memorization. I hope you already know each of the Scripture references I cited above. Each one is very basic. We should all be able to quote them. Can you? Go back through the blog and quote each Scripture referenced. You may not be able to quote all of Genesis 1, but you should know some key verses in the chapter. If you cannot quote the other verses cited, look them up. Use some of the extra time you have at home because of the Coronavirus to memorize these basic important Scriptures that offer to make you very, very wise! Wiser than … Psalm 119:89–96 NKJV
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. 92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life. 94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. 95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. 96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad. What will last? David begins by telling us God´s Word will last. For how long has God´s Word been established? FOREVER! For how long shall God´s Word continue to stand? FOREVER!
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Literally, “Forever, O Lord, Your Word stands firm in heaven.” Your Word is firm
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You may be thinking, “Jesus said heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away until all is fulfilled.” So does the earth really last? Yes, it does. The present earth and heavens shall melt with fervent heat and they shall be remade into New Heavens and a New Earth. So, the earth will be made new, but it shall last. It abides! Finally David says his own life shall last. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life. His life will last because it is founded upon the Word of the Lord and through that Word, God has given him life. David´s testimony makes me think of a song I have not heard in a long time, but it plays loudly in my heart at the moment. Wonderful Words of Life Philip P. Bliss Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life, Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty Teach me faith and duty. Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life; Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life. Christ, the blessed One, gives to all Wonderful words of life; Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life; All so freely given, Wooing us to heaven. Sweetly echo the Gospel call, Wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify us forever. Psalm 119:81–88 NKJV
81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. 82 My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” 83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes. 84 How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law. 86 All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! 87 They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts. 88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. David is under attack! This happened so many times in David´s life that I do not know any way to determine which time it is. No doubt the attack comes from people, however. See his complaint: When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The proud have dug pits for me, 86 …They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! 87 They almost made an end of me on earth, I started to write, “I have been there!” But the fact of the matter is that we have all been there at times.
81 My soul faints for Your salvation, 82 My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” 83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, When David indicates he is looking for God´s salvation, he is not talking about his eternal salvation. He has it, and he knows it. He is talking about the Lord´s salvation from the dreadful situation he is in. He wants it yesterday, but it has not yet come! David knows that his source of comfort will come from God´s Word, and he searches it. But he has not found the passage yet that really calms his soul. How honest David is! He says that the conflict is drying him out like a wineskin brought near the campfire. This whole thing is draining. What will he do? I hope in Your word. I do not forget Your statutes. 86 All Your commandments are faithful; I did not forsake Your precepts. I … keep the testimony of Your mouth. David is not here giving us instruction on handling conflict. We find that elsewhere in Scripture, but not in this stanza of Psalm 119. However, just so we do not ignore that issue, I will offer a quick summary:
David´s words pertain to finding consolation in his soul. Although he admits that he has not found it yet, he knows the Word of God is where he will find it.
Psalm 119:73–80 NKJV
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. 75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant. 77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts. 79 Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies. 80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed. When I read this stanza today, four statements struck me. I immediately thought, “For me at least, these truths are anchors for the soul.” I do not imply that means these are the most important truths in Scripture, nor even that they are the most important for me and should be for you. What I mean is that I find these four statements to be foundational, and when my world is being rocked, these truths are stabilizing. Like when my boat is being rocked in a stormy sea, knowing these things serves as an anchor for my soul! What are they? 73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; I am saddened when I think how few people in our culture today KNOW this fact, that each of us has been fashioned by the Almighty Himself.
I find it so comforting to know that God made me as I am, warts and all!
75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, It also stabilizes me to know that God´s judgments are right. Period! Settled. So many struggle with things the Bible says about God that does not suit their sensibilities. Things like
The only way to keep from being in this uncomfortable position is to settle in our hearts what David testifies to throughout this psalm – namely that God´s Word is perfect. When I came to the place to believe that in my life, it was such an anchor to my soul! That does not mean that I never question. I do. But if the answer that is coming to my mind points to some portion of God´s Word being wrong, I instantly know that I am in error, and I retreat! It is so very comforting to know for sure that there is a source of absolute truth – the Word of our God! in faithfulness You have afflicted me. This was the subject of yesterday´s blog, but let me just add a word as to why it is an anchor to my soul. Even when chastening comes, it so comforts and stabilizes me to know that God´s purpose is not punitive but correctional. In all things, God desires the best for me! 77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; It also greatly reduces my anxiety from day to day, especially in difficult days, to know that I live by God´s tender mercies and not according to my own merits. Folks, I would rather have the results of the mercies of the Lord any hour of any day than for God to give me what I deserve! Great is Your faithfulness, oh God! Your mercies are new every morning! Psalm 119:65–72 NKJV
65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. 68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. It´s been more than seven weeks since I started this blog to try to offer some encouragement to all of us who want to walk with God as we walk through the difficult days of dealing with the Coronavirus. Thank you for being a reader. I hope this has been helpful in some way to you. I began our walk together by offering eight Scriptural reasons why God sends or allows trouble to fall upon us. The third of those reasons was
This stanza of David´s hymn about the wonderful way God uses His Word in our lives was obviously written after the Lord chastened David. We know this happened after David´s adultery with Bathsheba, resulting in the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba´s husband. However, we do not know that this is the occasion he is talking about. Certainly David´s sin with Bathsheba was not his only sin. What David´s sin was does not really matter to us. The Lord loved David enough to not allow him to continue down that disastrous path. The Lord chastened David as we see in verse 67. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, And David responded. Look at the rest of that same verse. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. And David´s conclusion about what the Lord did was this: 68 You are good, and do good; Whatever happens during this trying time, whether God allowed each of us to experience this great difficulty we are going through because of our need for chastisement, or because of one of the other seven reasons, David´s conclusion is apt! God, You are good! God, You always do good! Next, David makes a very interesting comment in verses 69 and 70. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. Who is lord of the proud one? None other than fallen Lucifer, the proud angel in heaven who wanted to be worshipped in place of the Almighty, Satan himself! And what is his chief weapon? The lie! David acknowledges that all the reasons he harbored for doing, continuing, and trying to cover up his sin had their origin with the lord of the proud, the evil one. Satan no doubt, along the way, used his human servants to speak his words, but he himself was the source. In verse 70, David says of these who follow the devil´s ways and would delight to take him with them, “They delight in fatness.” Thus we have the translation “as grease.” Fatness means all types of carnality or fleshly sins. But David now rejects their enticements. He declares, “I will keep Your precepts and delight in Your law!” The first two verses of this stanza and the last two are probably the most important to us. They are summary statements of David´s experience with the chastening of the Lord. If you have experienced God´s chastening, or if you are experiencing it now, be comforted and strengthened by David´s analysis of what God did when he looked back upon it in retrospect. 65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. Whenever you next experience the chastening of the Lord, remember that it comes because He loves you. It is a testimony that you are His child. Let the chastening produce God´s intended work to bring you back to delighting in the Lord and His Word! Psalm 119:57–64 NKJV
57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. 59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes. In Psalm 119:25-32, David prayed for revival. In Psalm 119:49-56, David rejoiced in the revival he experienced, primarily through the Word of God. Now in verses 57 to 64, David basks in the glory of having been drawn so very close to the Lord, not a perfect man by any means, but a revived and renewed man who is continually learning to know God more thoroughly through the study and practice of His Word. The very best part of this new closeness to the Lord, David expresses in the first words of this stanza. Psalm 119:57 You are my portion, O Lord; David is saying, “I belong to God, and God belongs to me!” In 1876, a hymn writer named George Robinson put this same thought to a melody. Ponder the words of this hymn. Loved with everlasting love, Led by grace that love to know; Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so! Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this transport all divine! In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine; In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine. Heav’n above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green; Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen; Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine, Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine; Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine. Things that once were wild alarms Cannot now disturb my rest, Closed in everlasting arms, Pillowed on His loving breast; Oh, to lie forever here, Doubt and care and self resign, While He whispers in my ear I am His, and He is mine; While He whispers in my ear I am His, and He is mine. His forever, only His; Who the Lord and me shall part? Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart! Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, Firstborn light in gloom decline, But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine; But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine. If you would like to listen to a beautiful acapella rendition of the hymn, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gbWa2QBJ-0 Psalm 119:49–56 NKJV
49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. 51 The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. 52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, And have comforted myself. 53 Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law. 56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts. I picture David writing each stanza (eight verses) of this psalm at different times, in different settings, at different points during his life. I find myself reading the psalm and reacting to it the same way. The way a particular stanza hits me may not be the same way it speaks to you. God´s truth has many applications. As soon as I read this stanza, I thought, that´s my testimony! That does not mean that this should describe everybody´s testimony. Another Christian can affirm all the truth in these eight verses but not feel like they capture the essence of their experience with knowing God. It is also not to claim this is my testimony but no one else´s! There are probably a lot of brothers and sisters in the Lord that would share this testimony with me. Let me just tell you why it is mine. 49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. During college and my first two and a half years of seminary, and the year in between, I was very spiritually frustrated. I knew I was saved. I was confident I had been called to preach. But I increasingly doubted the veracity of the Word of God. I gave in to the wisdom of the world that said the Bible was full of myths and legends and only offered “spiritual truth,” not historical truth, not scientific truth. After believing this lie for over seven years, God delivered me from this well without water. God brought me to a place to understand, know, and believe the testimony of Jesus, “Your Word is truth.” This was God´s Word to me, His servant. It gave me hope! 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. That Word was my comfort in my affliction! The truth of God´s Word literally gave me life for it says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” 51 The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. There have been times that men who were arrogant in their scholastic pedigrees have derided me for believing in a six, twenty-four hour days, miraculous creation about six thousand years ago. I don´t care. Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. I do not turn aside from Your law. 52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, And have comforted myself. Because I know that every portion of God´s Word is truth, every portion comforts me. 53 Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. I have and do feel indignation when the wicked slander the truth or when people forsake God´s Word because they get too “smart” or too “educated” to believe it. 54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. My favorite songs are about the cross. My second favorite songs are about the Word. 55 I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law. After I came to a place to believe in the perfection and the inerrancy of the Word of God, one of the first serious studies in the Word I did was on The Names of God. Believing that each of the Names of God were perfectly revealed and absolutely true, I believed that understanding those names would help me learn much about the character and person of God. 56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts. I can say with the psalmist, “This is mine!” Yesterday was National Day of Prayer. I hope you received my email guiding us to pray. Most of all, I just hope you prayed for our country, state, county, city, church, and people!
However, I think the next stanza of Psalm 119 is perfect to guide us in praying for our country in particular. Read it, and see if you agree. Psalm 119:41–48 NKJV 41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word. 42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances. 44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. 46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. 48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes. Would you let me, by way of this psalm, lead us in a time of prayer specifically for our nation? We so need it! Even without the pandemic, we need it! Read the verse of the psalm again and then read my prayer. Then offer your own. 41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word. Lord, as a nation, as Americans, we need Your mercies. In spite of our affluence as compares to the rest of the world, we are a most needy people. Lord, as one American, I declare my absolute dependence upon You. Lord, I need Your salvation that comes by grace through faith, and so do all my countrymen. Lord, may Your salvation flow freely across our land! 42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. Lord, make me ready to have an answer for the hope that is in me that comes by faith in You. When someone mocks or scoffs at me because of my faith, when someone offers their reproach because I depend upon You, let me share an answer in gentleness, humility, and love. Lord, I do trust in You, and I trust in Your Word! 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances. Lord, keep me actively reading and meditating on Your Word, so that I can offer it at appropriate times to others. Your Word brings hope, and our country needs the hope that Your Word offers! 44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And help me Lord, to live out that Word, day by day, all the time, that it may be a testimony to those who see me. 45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. For Lord, Your Word truly brings liberty. Help me to demonstrate that we are free indeed when we put our faith in Christ. 46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. Lord, may Your Word thoroughly resound in our country before presidents, judges, congressmen, councilmen, mayors, and all whom You appoint to lead us. Rather than banning or ignoring the Word, may it be often read and quoted in the halls of our governments. 47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. And I myself will continue to delight in all of Your Word, oh Lord. I love it. I treasure it. May those statements be truer day after day after day. 48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes. Lord, not only for the sake of myself and my family, but for the sake of my fellow Americans, and others in the world, I want to do Your Word. I want to read it, meditate upon it, share it, declare it, and live it. For Your Word is truth and is the Word of life for all. In Jesus´ Holy Name, Amen |
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