FRAMEWORKS:
Psa 119: Part 3
PART
THREE: Stanzas 15 to 22: verses 113 to 176
15.
v.113-120 Lord, I reject the paths of the wicked and hold to your
word
16.
v.121-128 Lord, I'm struggling to remain righteous, hold me in
your word
17.
v.129-136 Lord, help me stand on your word with this disobedient
people
18.
v.137-144 Lord, let your words continue to prevail against unbelief
19.
v.145-152 Lord, my hope is still in your word, against the wicked
20.
v.153-160 Lord, preserve my life in the face of the opposition
I face
21.
v.161-168 Lord, opposition there may be, but I'll still hold to
your word
22.
v.169-177 Lord, here I am, answer me
[Note:
The third part is liberally scattered with references to the opposition
the psalmist encounters – 113,115,119,121,122,134,139,143,150,154-159.]
[15]
Samekh
[Lord, I reject the paths
of the wicked and hold to your word]
v.113
False or confused people I reject but hold fast the clarity of
God's word
v.113
I
hate double-minded
people,
but I love your law.
v.114
In a confused or threatening world, God is my refuge, and I trust
in His word
v.114
You
are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
v.115
Get away you wrong-doers, I hold to God's word
v.115
Away
from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands
of my God!
v.116,117
Sustain, uphold & deliver me Lord, while I hold to your word
v.116
Sustain
me, my God, according to your promise, and I
shall live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
v.117
Uphold
me, and I shall be delivered;
I shall always have regard for your decrees.
v.118,119
The deluded-wicked are led away; by contrast I see and hold to
your word
v.118
You
reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
v.119
All
the wicked
of
the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
v.120
I have a holy respect for you and for your laws
v.120
My
flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
[Additional
Comments: There is a contrast between the deceived and
unstable world of the unbeliever and the stability and security
that comes by adhering to God's will. I reject the confused world
[v.113] and take refuge from them in God and in His word [v.114].
Thus he rejects them [v.115] and looks to the Lord [v.116,117]
for God rejects them [v.118.119] which makes him have a holy respect
for God and His Law.]
[16]
Ayin
[Lord, I'm struggling to remain
righteous, hold me in your word]
v.121,122
Preserve me for seeking to remain righteous
v.121
I
have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my
oppressors.
v.122
Ensure
your servant's well-being;
do not let the
arrogant oppress
me.
v.123
I'm tired from seeking the outworking of your word
v.123
My
eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
v.124
Let your love continue to motivate you to teach me
v.124
Deal
with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
v.125
I want to serve you, teach me how through your laws
v.125
I
am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
v.126
Lord you need to act because those around me are breaking your
law
v.126
It
is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.
v.127,128
I esteem your laws more than anything else and so hate any wrong
path
v.127
Because
I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
v.128
and
because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
[Additional
Comments: The psalmist still has opposition [v.121,122]
but has sought to remain righteous [v.121a,123] holding right
attitudes [v.122,125a,127,128], but recognises he needs God's
help [v.121b,124,125,126]. The battle continues but he needs God's
help to remain true.]
[17]
Pe
[Lord, help me stand on your
word with this disobedient people]
v.129-131
You laws are wonderful and I yearn more for them
v.129
Your
statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
v.130
The
unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
v.131
I
open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
v.132-135
Requests: I need you to act on my behalf
v.132
[i] Turn
to me and [ii] have mercy
on me,
as you always do to those who love your
name.
v.133
[iii] Direct
my footsteps according to your word;
[iv]
let no sin rule over me.
v.134
[v] Redeem
me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.
v.135
[vi] Make
your face shine on your servant
and [vii]
teach me your decrees.
v.136
I am in anguish because your Law is not followed
v.136
Streams
of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not
obeyed.
[Additional
Comments: His understanding of God's words bring joy
to him [v.129-131] but they also bring in him a greater desire
for the Lord to help him follow His word [v.132-135], especially
with the awareness that around him, God's word is not being obeyed
[v.136]. He stands against the tide of unbelief around him.]
[18]
Tsadhe
[Lord, let your words continue
to prevail against unbelief]
v.137,138
God's words anchor righteousness in his life
v.137
You
are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right.
v.138
The
statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
v.139
Yet he's tired standing against the surrounding unbelief
v.139
My
zeal wears me out,
for my
enemies ignore
your words.
v.140,141
God's words have stood the test so he'll never forget them
v.140
Your
promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
v.141
Though
I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
v.142
Righteousness and truth will prevail
v.142
Your
righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
v.143,144
In the face of distress His words are right and give him delight
v.143
Trouble
and distress have
come upon me,
but your commands give
me delight.
v.144
Your
statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
[Additional
Comments: God's word, ever before him, have helped him
stand in the face of the pressures from others [v.141a, 143a].
They have been an anchor for him.]
[19]
Qoph
[Lord, my hope is still in
your word, against the wicked]
v.145,146
He twice calls on God and twice affirms his faithfulness to His
words
v.145
[i]
I
call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
v.146
[ii]
I
call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
v.147,148
Day and night he battles on to keep to God's word
v.147
I
rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
v.148
My
eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
v.149,150
He calls for God's help against the wicked
v.149
Hear
my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord , according to
your laws.
v.150
Those
who devise
wicked schemes are
near,
but they are far from your law.
v.151,152
He will trust in God's word that will last
v.151
Yet
you are near, Lord,
and all your commands
are true.
v.152
Long
ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last for
ever.
[Additional
Comments: Still he maintains his confidence in God's
word against the wicked of the world. It is a battle but he will
prevail.]
[20]
Resh
[Lord, preserve my life in
the face of the opposition I face]
v.153,154
The battle continues and he still needs God's help
v.153
Look
on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
v.154
Defend
my cause and redeem me;
preserve
my life according
to your promise.
v.155,156
He will remain distinct and still needs the Lord's saving help
v.155
Salvation
is far from the
wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
v.156
Your
compassion, Lord,
is great;
preserve
my life according
to your laws.
v.157,158
He has had great opposition but he will remain true to God's word
v.157
Many
are the
foes who
persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
v.158
I
look on the
faithless with
loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
v.159,160
His heart remains true so he calls for ongoing help
v.159
See
how I love your precepts;
preserve
my life,
Lord,
in accordance with your love.
v.160
All
your words are true;
all your righteous laws
are eternal.
[Additional
Comments: Every one of the first seven verses indicates
something of the opposition he faces and three times he asks the
Lord to preserve his life.
[21]
Sin
and Shin [Lord, opposition
there may be, but I'll still hold to your word]
v.161
Opposition comes right from the top
v.161
Rulers
persecute me
without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
v.162
Yet I rejoice in what you have promised me and remain true to
it
v.162
I
rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
v.163
Truth versus falsehood; no competition!
v.163
I
hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
v.164
I'll keep on praising you for your word throughout the day
v.164
Seven
times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
v.165
Your law brings peace and stability
v.165
Great
peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
v.166-168
I interact constantly with your word
v.166
I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
v.167
I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
v.168
I
obey
your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to
you.
[Additional
Comments: Opposition may come from rulers but the various
forms of God's word mean so much to the psalmist that he makes
them the central focus in his life and will not be distracted
from them.]
[22]
Taw
[Lord, here I am, answer me]
v.169-172
Prayers and requests
v.169
May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your
word.
v.170
May
my
supplication
come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
v.171
May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
v.172
May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands
are righteous.
v.173
Trust in the Lord's response
v.173
May
your
hand
be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
v.174-176
Deliverance, life, and rescue
v.174
I
long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives
me delight.
v.175
Let
me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain
me.
v.176
I
have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
[Additional
Comments: Prayers for understanding, deliverance, teaching,
and help [v.169-171,173], and a desire to live in the light of
His word [v.174,175] rescued by the Lord like a shepherd finding
His faithful sheep [v.176]. A stanza of trust and recognition
of need.]
CONTINUE TO Psa 120