FRAMEWORKS:
Psa 119: The Law of the Lord: Part 1
PART
TWO: Stanzas 8 to 14: verses 57 to 112
PART
THREE: Stanzas 15 to 22: verses 113 to 176
PART
ONE: Stanzas 1 to 7: verses 1 to 56
1.
v.1-8 Blessing comes through Obedience to God's word and will
2.
v.9-16 The Way to Purity comes in using God's word
3.
v.17-24 I need help to understand
-
v.21,23 show the first references to opposition
4.
v.25-32 Keep me on the right path by your word!
5.
v.33-40 Lord, come and help me
6.
v.41-48 Request, consequence, declarations & consequences
-
v.42 shows the next reference to opposition
7.
v.49-56 God's past faithfulness to His Law provides comfort today
-
v.50,51,53 further make reference to opposition he receives
for being righteous
[Note:
From the headings above and below, we can see the early
stanzas are mostly about general considerations, only slowly changing
to acknowledge need against opposition, with needs being limited
to simple help in understanding and application from the Lord.]
[1]
Aleph
[Blessing comes through Obedience
to God's revealed will]
v.1-3
A blessing on the
blameless, the obedient & those hungry for God who follow
Him
v.1
Blessed
are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law
of the Lord.
v.2
Blessed
are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart –
v.3
they
do no wrong
but follow his ways.
v.4
The rules God has given us are to be obeyed
v.4
You
have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
v.5,6
The psalmist recognizes the difficulty of total obedience
v.5
Oh,
that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
v.6
Then
I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
v.7,8
But he will seek to keep a right obedient heart
v.7
I
will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
[or judgments]
v.8
I
will obey your decrees; [most
other versions statutes]
do not utterly forsake me.
[Additional
Comments: Stanza 1 shows us the first ‘rainbow' of the
declared word of the Lord and its effect on the psalmist. He recognizes
that blessing comes to the obedient [v.1-3] for God has given
us His word to be obeyed [v.4]. He desires complete obedience
but is honest enough to know it is difficult [v.5,6] but he will
learn to obey as he learns all of God's will [v.7,8]. The recognition
that comes already that God's word has come in a variety of forms
means that reading His word to learn His will is a big task!]
[2]
Beth
[The Way to Purity comes in
using God's word]
v.9
The way to purity for the young, is one of obedience to God's
revealed word
v.9
How
can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
v.10,11
He anchors God's word in his heart
v.10
I
seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
v.11
I
have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
v.12,13
With his lips he will both praise the Lord and speak out His laws
v.12
Praise
be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
v.13
With
my lips I recount
all the laws that come
from your mouth.
v.14-17
Words, mind & heart involvement in the wonder of God's word
v.14
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
v.15
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
v.16
I
delight
in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
[Additional
Comments: Having established that keeping God's word
is the way to purity [v.9] he determines to go all out to take
in and hold on to God's word [v.10,11] and bolsters this commitment
by speech [v.12,13]. In summary, he rejoices in God's revelation
[v.14], thinks deeply on it and how God works it out in God's
activity [v.15] and joys in His word [v.16]. A stanza of declaration
& commitment.]
[3]
Gimel
[I need help to understand]
v.17-19
He needs God's help to really understand the depths of God's revealed
will
v.17
Be
good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
v.18
Open
my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
v.19
I
am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands
from me.
v.20-22
He yearns for God's word, unlike the disobedient, arrogant unbelievers
v.20
My
soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all
times.
v.21
You
rebuke the arrogant,
who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
v.22-24
Though the mighty speak ill of him, he will not be distracted
from God's will
v.22
Remove
from me scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
v.23
Though
rulers
sit
together and slander
me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
v.24
Your
statutes are my delight;
they are my counsellors.
[Additional
Comments: A stanza of recognition of his need of God's
help [v.17-19] and a refusal to be put off by the scorn &
contempt [v.22] and slander of others [v.23] for God's word is
both his delight and his guide [v.23]. A stanza recognizing need.]
[4]
Daleth
[Keep me on the right path
by your word!]
v.25
He feels brought down and calls on God's help
v.25
I
am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
v.26-28
He wants his life to be brought in line with God's ways
v.26
I
gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
v.27
Cause
me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful
deeds.
v.28
My
soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
v.29,30
He is aware of the diverse paths of life and knows God's law is
necessary
v.29
Keep
me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
v.30
I
have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
v.31,32
He determines to stick firmly to God's will and ways
v.31
I
hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
v.32
I
run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
[Additional
Comments: Something has made him feel low [v.25,28]
– possibly the scorn, contempt and slander of the previous stanza.
As with the narrow path and broad way of Matt 7:13,14, he has
opened his heart to the Lord [v.26], rejects the ways of deceit
[v.29] but wants to understand more fully God's ways [v.27,28],
the way of faithfulness [v.30], the path of obedience to God's
word [v.32]. A stanza of understanding the conflict with the world
and determination to let God's word anchor him in God's ways.]
[5]
He
[Lord, come and help me]
v.33-37
Calls for the Lord to help him with His word
v.33
Teach me, Lord,
the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
v.34
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
v.35
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
v.36
Turn my heart towards your statutes
and not towards selfish gain.
v.37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to
your word.
v.38-40
Further calls for the Lord to act on his behalf
v.38
Fulfil
your
promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
v.39
Take
away
the
disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
v.40
How
I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my
life.
[Additional
Comments: This stanza is entirely taken up with asking
the Lord to help him in a variety of ways SO THAT various things
may follow: that he may be able to stick to God's path [v.33],
that he may be able to remain obedient [v.34], that he may find
delight [v.35], that he may avoid the selfish path [v.36] and
that his life may be preserved [v.37]. Then finally he looks to
God's promises [v.38] so he may not be disgraced [v.39] and his
life may be preserved [v.40]. A stanza full of wise requests that
will bring change to him.]
[6]
Waw
[Request, consequence, declarations
& consequences]
v.41,42
In order to answer mockers, he asks the Lord to express His love,
His salvation
v.41
May
your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your
promise;
v.42
then
I can answer anyone who
taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
v.43
He wants help in holding on to God's word
v.43
Never
take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
v.44-48
Twofold declaration of intent & consequences
v.44
I
will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
v.45
I
will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
v.46
I
will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
v.47
for
I delight in your commands
because I love them.
v.48
I
reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees
[Additional
Comments: He wants to experience more of God's promised
love [v.41,42] and declares his reliance upon God's word [v.43].
He then declares he will obey and speak of God's word [v.44,46]
so he can walk in freedom and not be shamed before others [v.45.46b].
He declares he will do this because he loves God's word [v.47,48]
which he will reach out for more and more and meditate upon.]
[7]
Zayin
[God's past faithfulness to
His Law provides comfort today]
v.49,50
God's faithfulness to His promises of blessing [Deut 27,28] comforts
the psalmist
v.49
Remember
your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
v.50
My
comfort in
my suffering is
this:
your promise preserves
my life.
v.51,52
In the face of opposition he clings to God's past declarations
v.51
The
arrogant
mock
me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
v.52
I
remember, Lord,
your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
v.53,54
He is angry with their abandoning God's covenant [law]
v.53
Indignation
grips me because of the
wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
v.54
Your
decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
v.55,56
Even at night he remembers God's word and will hold fast to it
v.55
In
the night, Lord,
I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
v.56
This
has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
[Additional
Comments: Faithfulness in the present is reinforced
by the past. The stressed psalmist [v.50a,51a] remembers the past
history with the Lord, His words, His promises, the covenant itself
and its individual laws, and is comforted. But he's also angry
with those around him who have forsaken the Law and the Lord.
He, however, will cling to it.]
PART
TWO: Stanzas 8 to 14: verses 57 to 112
PART
THREE: Stanzas 15 to 22: verses 113 to 176