Psalm 119 121–136

ע Ayin: Verses 121-128

Lessons in Trust

This section is a cry to be delivered from oppression. Oppression has more to do with our perception than any physical harm done to us. Hence the Psalmist appeals for Salvation and that his life would be permeated by God’s Word (v123), for mercy and that he would truly learn God’s statutes (v124), and for understanding that he would know by practical experience that which God has testified of concerning ‘the Way’ (v125).

He boldly declares in v126 “It is time for Thee, LORD, to work!”

He has had enough of the oppression of the world, the flesh and the Devil in his life, now the long overdue time for change has come. But he knows it must begin in his heart and his affections.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

“This commences a new division of the Psalm indicated by the Hebrew letter Ain -- a letter which cannot well be represented in the English alphabet, as there is, in fact, no letter in our language exactly corresponding with it. It would be best represented probably by what are called "breathings" in Greek”. -Albert Barnes.

Verse 121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

“If I will not oppress others, I may hopefully pray that others may not oppress me”. CHS

Verse 122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Thus for the Psalmist to make this audacious request to God is quite something! He is asking God to speak well of him, to stand up for him, to actually vouch for his character and integrity before those who would seek his downfall.

The only way to reconcile this is to conclude that the Psalmist has realised that God has done something within him that far outweighs his own natural ability. He has pleaded for God’s word to change him from within, now he lays claim to the hope that his prayers have been fully answered. God cannot lie (Heb 6:18), so God cannot just pretend that He is for us if we are still ‘dead in trespasses ad sins and lost in our own iniquity.

If however God has created a right spirit within us, if He has placed within us a new life that cannot sin (1 John 5:18), then indeed He can legitimately be surety for us, He can publicly stand for us and declare us good!

As my Master, undertake thy servants' cause, and represent me before the faces of haughty men till they see what an august ally I have in the Lord my God. Let not the proud oppress me. Thine interposition will answer the purpose of my rescue: when the proud see that thou art my advocate they will hide their heads. CHS

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chron 16:9).

Verse 123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Verse 124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

“If I am a "servant" of God, I can bring my services before him only upon the ground of "mercy" CHS

Verse 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

In this Psalm he asks for understanding five times, (the number of Grace!) which should serve as a point of note for us; for if the Psalmist needed understanding, how much more do we!

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law” v34

“Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments”. V73

“Give me understanding, and I shall live”. V144

“Give me understanding according to thy word”. V169

If He grants understanding we shall keep His law, learn His commandments and know His testimonies.

This again highlights that the work of sanctification is entirely His, for without God-given understanding we will not be able to keep His law, nor learn His commandments or know His testimonies!

Verse 126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

Verse 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

His promises are better than fine gold, that is gold so pure that it would not oxidise, so does not tarnish or rust. Yet even compared to this, God’s promises stand out as being incorruptible. His promises are true and faithful and of inestimable value.

Calvary Pastor Skip Heitzig tells of a time he was in need financially, and so prayed that the Lord would provide. The next morning a cheque arrived, which was a tax rebate. Skip immediately thanked the LORD, but then was convicted; all he had in he had was a piece of paper that had no intrinsic value. In essence what he had was a promise from the government that they would pay him the sum in question. He rejoiced when he saw it for he immediately trusted that the government would fulfil their promise. But then God spoke to his heart and reminded Him of all the promises in His world – the exceeding great and precious promises! How much more can we trust God’s word than man’s!!

There is a story of a lady who, after sitting through a teaching session about God’s provision, came to the Pastor and poured out her heart, and explained her problems. The Pastor, somewhat frustrated that the lady had not grasped the essence of what he had just taught, said to her “Lady, what do you do with the promises of God?” To which she replied: “I underline them in blue”!

Verse 128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

What a sublime trust this is, that we can come to a place where we can say that ALL, not just some, but ALL of His precepts concerning ALL things are right.

v68 reminded us that He is good and does good! This verse challenges us to trust Him because of that truth!

“The Being who loves the good with infinite intensity must hate evil with the same intensity. So far from any incompatibility between this love and this hatred, they are the counterparts of each other, -- opposite poles of the same moral emotion”. -John W. Haley

פ Pe: Verses 129-136

It’s About The Word

A corner has been turned and the pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place, the Psalmist (and I hope you the reader) is learning to walk by faith, walking in the way.

Verse 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

Note also that he states that his soul keeps them. That is the innermost part of his being as been won over, wooed if you will, by the wonderful testimony God has given us in His word.

Verse 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Verse 131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

Verse 132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Verse 133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Verse 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

Verse 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

This was the Shama – the Aaronic blessing:

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace”. (Num 6:24-26)

Verse 136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

How offended are we really because of the sin that surrounds us?