Tuesday, September 10 – Psalm 119: 89 – 128 – Additional reading: Patriarchs and Prophets chapter 62, “The Anointing of David”.

1. What made David so confident that he was doing the right thing by loving God’s law” Psalm 119:9, 92.

2. David said he was afraid of God’s judgments but would rather God judge him than man. Why? Psalm 119:120; 2 Samuel 24:14.

3. How can we receive wisdom and direction to speak like David? Psalm 119:97,98, Proverbs 3:3, 4.

Commentary and Reflection:

David’s life was full of challenging experiences before and after he sat on the throne as king of Israel. During these times, the only surety for David was the Torah. It was his only assurance that God was with him, and so he penned Psalm 119, dividing it into twenty-two sections, each containing eight verses. Each verse refers to the law of God using different words to describe it to prevent repetition.

One of the main themes is that God’s faithfulness remains throughout all generations, as stated in verse 90, “thy faithfulness is unto all generations…” David had a deep love and appreciation for God’s Word. From years of going into hiding from King Saul to literally running from his own son, who turned out to be his worst enemy, David held on to the Word as a “lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path” (vs. 105). David poured out his soul before God, and even when he made mistakes, he acknowledged his fear of God’s judgment and asked God for mercy, that He would teach him to understand his statutes. (vs. 124)

God wants us to come to Him without fear. He admonishes us to come boldly to Him. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Like David, we can be fully assured that when we are obedient to God’s Word, making it a priority in our lives, we can have complete confidence that God will keep us in perfect peace. He said in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

David understood what it was like to have enemies. He was constantly complaining to God about their treatment of him and asking for protection. However, even though he hated every false way, he was conscious that he did not always make the right choices and decisions. So, he would implore God to give him understanding and discernment to obey his testimonies. When we earnestly pray for wisdom, God will not cast us out. If any lack wisdom, we can ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to us.

David’s life was molded after the principles taught in the school of the prophets in his day. Because of these graces, he was called ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ From his youth, David knew God’s precepts, and as an adult warrior king, he could see God’s Word as his full armor covering him when battling against his enemies. “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:114. He saw himself as God’s faithful servant and constantly depended on him for deliverance. “I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.” Psalm 119:121,122.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. David kept the Word of God forever in his heart and referred to it constantly. We need to remember the word of the Lord upon our beds and meditate on God in the night watches. Psalm 63:6; then we can confidently repeat like David, “Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” Psalm 63:7. When we seek the wisdom of God’s word, the text “thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” found in Psalm 119: 11 will have new meaning.

May we be encouraged to have a more meaningful relationship with our God by making His Holy Word a priority in our lives and loving it more than our daily food.

My prayer today: “Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” Psalm 119 :33. May your grace and mercy follow me, O Lord, all the days of my life. Amen.