Psalm 119 153–168

ר Resh: Verses 153-160

IT’s About Salvation

At first glance it would seem this section is a return to the despondency and pain the Psalmist had previously wrestled with; and it is entirely possible this is the case for we are all capable, however much we have grown in grace, to have a spiritual relapse and once again look to the flesh-life for comfort, only to find our old troubles gleefully anticipating our arrival! Sin is never far from us and just like Simon Peter, the moment we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to sink.

However, there is a difference in this section to his previous lamenting. Here there is hope; there is the anticipation and expectation that, though his praying has reminded of his troubles again, the present affliction will produce “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17).

Verse 153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

If we stop and think this through, we don’t have to ask God to consider our affliction, for He knows all things! It is, in fact, He who has stirred the heart of the Psalmist to pray at all; but our Heavenly Father want’s prayer to become a habit. How does He do this? By bringing to our attention the urgency of our own state. We might not yet be intercessors, bringing others continually before the throne in prayer, but we are quick to cry our when we are in need!

This is an important step; for once we have made that journey from our predicament, to our knees to His throne, we will never forget the way and will be inclined to make the trip again.

Verse 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

As the Psalmist highlights here, there is a progression, firstly God must be on our side, secondly, He must deliver us (from the world, the flesh and the devil), and then we will know life in abundance.

We know that God is on our side, for He has demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8), we are right now in the process of being delivered from the present evil age, that is the work of sanctification. Ultimately we will be made truly alive when this corruption puts on incorruption, and this mortal puts on immortality! (1 Cor 15:54).

Verse 155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Verse 156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

Verse 157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

Notice here though, that even though he had many persecutors, he did not let it pull his heart from God’s testimonies.

Verse 158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

No one can begin to know the true horror of Hell and be indifferent to the fact that many will go there.

Verse 159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

Verse 160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

God did create the Heavens and the Earth, we are not the product of time and chance, nothing exploding and becoming everything. There was a beginning and there was a Beginner! Man is not the pinnacle of the evolutionary process; He is God’s masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made.

Some great minds have concocted theories and stories of how life evolved and in so doing they have had to twist and bend even their own laws of science to make their ideas fit the observable facts. Professing to be wise they have become fools (Rom 1:22). Things only ever reproduce after their own kind, just as God’s Word says.

Jesus said in John 17:17 “Thy Word is Truth”. There is no lie or deceit to be found in God’s Word.

The Bible has been shown to be true in regard to the history recorded in its pages; archaeology has repeatedly confirmed its historicity and accuracy.

The Bible has been shown to be true with regard to the detailed prophecies that make up one-third of its contents; speaking with incredible accuracy of events that would take place hundreds and even thousands of years after the prophecies were given.

However, the Bible not only speaks with clarity about where we have come from and where we are going, it also speaks with authority about right now. It speaks the truth about your life and mine, it speaks about the problem of sin and presents to us God’s perfect plan of salvation through His only Son, Jesus Christ. All this is true, and countless multitudes have come to know this truth for themselves, not as an abstract notion, but as a living hope based on a personal relationship with the Author Himself>

God Word is true because He is true; Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. As believers we can be confident in God’s Word, it has never and will never be proven wrong, it is true from the beginning.

שׁ Shin: Verses 161-168

It’s About Obedience

Verse 161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Verse 162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

It is a time for rejoicing when we find God’s Word for ourselves, not just to be told of its value from parents or pastors, but to actually discover its beauty, its mysteries and its life-changing power for ourselves.

It is the greatest treasure that can be found in this life, but note that is must be found by each soul for themselves. Just as each one must look upon the cross for their own Salvation, so it is with God’s Word. Someone can read, be taught and even comprehend doctrine and spiritual truths from the Word, but that does not mean the Wold is alive to them. A Christian can sit in church year after year and never be truly moved by every Yod and tittle.

The idea of spoil is very apt, for it would be after a great battle that the victorious soldiers would scour the battlefield for something of value. Sadly many stumble over God’s Word without realising what it is. They walk on by seeing it only as a religious book that speaks about God and his laws, with stories, songs, poetry, letters, and history.

Yet the Bible says of itself that it is living and powerful! The French Emperor Napoleon said: “The Bible is no mere book, but it is a Living Creature with a power that conquers all that oppose it”

Verse 163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Verse 164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Seven in scripture always denotes ‘complete’. This is our complete sacrifice of praise, it is a complete offering to a worthy God. It is also the completion of our journey!

As we noted at the start of this study, we should be mindful of God’s righteous judgments and meditate in His word at breakfast or when we awake, remind ourselves mid-morning, again at lunchtime, in the afternoon, then as you sit to eat your evening meal, then in the evening, and finally when you go to bed.

This is the ‘secret’ to walking in the way, walking by faith.

Verse 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isa 26:3-4).

Verse 166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

Verse 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

Verse 168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

Then the Psalmist stated: “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways” (v15)

By verse 27 the prayer was: “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works” (v27).

Then, as the Psalmist continued to grow in grace we read:

“Behold, I have longed after thy precepts” (v40)

“I seek thy precepts” (v45)

“I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart” (v69).

“I will meditate in thy precepts” (v78).

…until finally now, at the end of his journey, the Psalmist can claim “I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies”. It is no longer just his intention to keep them when he is able and strong enough, keeping God’s precepts is now a reality; it is part of his actual experience, and it is a delight for him to do so. This is entirely a work of grace, but it is a work of grace in a willing heart.

God sees everything we do anyway, so let us make sure our ways are pleasing and honouring to Him!

The Hebrew word yn[ shamar, that is here rendered "kept," signifies to keep carefully, diligently, studiously, exactly. It signifies to keep as men keep prisoners, and to keep as a watchman keeps the city or the garrison; yea, to keep as a man would keep his very life. But now mark what was the reason that David kept the precepts and the testimonies of the Lord so carefully, so sincerely, so diligently, so studiously, and so exactly. Why, the reason you have in the latter part of the verse, "for all my ways are before thee." Thomas Brooks

May God bless you as you study His Word.

Pastor Barry.