Category: Liturgical Calendar

Psalm 119:89-92

⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, your word*
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
⁹¹ By your appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

There is one aspect of God’s character that may be, at least to me, the most comforting. We see it here described as God’s faithfulness.

When I think about one of my great concerns in the Christian journey, it is wondering if God’s attitude toward me will ever change. Will my struggles and weakness become too much for God to tolerate? Will we fail one too many times? And what is more horrifying, will I even know if that moment comes?

But, when we see verses like this, I find great comfort. God is faithful, but his faithfulness is not limited my time or culture. God’s ability to remain true to his word and consistent to his character are realities that transcend one generation. What God offered and promised to Moses is still true for us. Not because we are wiser than Moses, but because God is just as good to us as he was to him.

God is faithful. And for that I am grateful.

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Commentary

Verse 89: God’s word is unchanging. The fixed nature of what God has spoken is a guarantee of God’s promises. God will never reject or countermand his word. This reality is what we build our faith on. There has never been a time when God has vacillated in keeping his word. This fortitude is what gives us confidence in believing today what God has said in the past. But it also fosters hope that we can expect in the future what God has promised to us.

Verse 90: God’s faithfulness is one of the great mysteries of the Christian journey. We all know that we are frail and inconsistent. We all, at some point in our lives, struggle to do what we know God expects of us. It is one of the great sources of discouragement. To know what we should do, and still be unable to perform it in our daily journey. But, God’s goodness and kindness toward us is most gloriously seen when God continues to give us what we do not deserve, his grace.

Verse 91: All that God has created persists because of God’s sustaining power. Nothing exists apart from God’s presence. He not only created, but he maintains the parameters of existence itself. Without God nothing can exist. But with God, even that which rejects him, cannot escape his influence. God may not impose, but nothing can prevent him from being where he chooses to be.

Verse 92: We find again another reference to delighting in God’s law. This is a theme for which we, in our modern times, have little point of reference. We struggle to see how the Law of God and the grace of God exist in harmonious relationship. Discovering this connection is key to experiencing what the Psalmist describes here. To delight in God’s law provides for us a ballast of hope and relief in times of great struggle. When these times of affliction come, if we have waited to delight in God’s law, we will have waited too long.

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Psalm 119:85-88

⁸⁵ The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law*.
⁸⁶ All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
⁸⁷ They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

The Psalmist offers an interesting perspective about what should be most valued in life. In the final verse the selected section, the writer makes a request for continued life. That the life to be given is the consequence or result of God’s steadfast love.

What is interesting, and even verges on the peculiar, is the reason for the request for life. The Psalmist desires to live so that they may keep, or observe, the testimonies of God. What God had said was worthy of living so as to enjoy them longer.

It is an odd time to walk on the earth. There are so many who value the word of God so little. They crack open its pages when there is sufficient time, or when it is convenient. This is a sad and unhealthy way of interacting with God and his word.

Our keeping of God’s word is not the means of attracting God’s attention. Our observance and obedience to God’s word is the result of our having received God’s incalculable love.

Until we see this relationship clearly, we will interact with God in transactional ways, rather than spiritual and relationship ways.

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Commentary

Verse 85: When people chose to reject the law of God as a standard for living, they become susceptible to all manner of unethical acts. To live in conformity to God’s prescription is to create a spiritual and moral division between us and the world. Not with the intention of creating obstacles for others, but as a consequence of our faithfulness being a reminder of their lack of it. This is one of the many challenges of the Christian journey. We are to live in the light of God’s holiness, but that very activity cause those outside of that relationship to resent us for it. We are forced to choice the approval of God over that of men.

Verse 86: The surety, or the constancy, of God’s commandments are a comfort in times of persecution. To know that God will never go back on his word can be a boon in times of great difficulty. What is also important to note is the nature of the persecution. It comes because “falsehoods” had to be told to conjure up the negative pressure against the child of God. If those of the world are to make our lives difficult, let it be because they had to fabricate the reasons. It can be encouraging, in spite of the pain, that what they are saying about us are lies and doing to us is unjust.

Verse 87: Continuing on the theme of having those in the world coming against us, we see how important God’s word is to the Psalmist. The burden of the attacks were so severe, they had brought them to the point of death. The implication is that the writer was as close as they had ever been. And yet, in the midst of the upheaval, the thought of forsaking God’s precepts was dismissed. No level of discomfort and no degree of danger should dislodge our commitment to God’s precepts. It will take courage to live in this way.

Verse 88: The love of God is described as being steadfast. The immovable reality of God’s love is a key to our holding onto our faith. It means we can trust God. With this reality in view, the Psalmist calls upon God to give them life. After all that had come against them in the previous verses, it is no wonder we see this request. However, the reason for the continued sustaining of life was not just personal entertainment. The purpose of the Psalmist’s life was to be able to keep the testimonies of God. In linking continued life with the keeping of God’s testimonies, what we find one of the deepest and most important reasons we can endure the attacks in our lives. What God has said, God will do. And what God has promised, nothing can deter.

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Psalm 119:77-80

⁷⁷ Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law* is my delight.
⁷⁸ Let the insolent be put to shame,
    because they have wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ Let those who fear you turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
    that I may not be put to shame!

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

It is quite remarkable how little we understand regarding the word of God and the acts of men.

It is my theory the reasons we know so little is because we have not stopped looking through the lenses of our denominations, our hero’s in the faith, our favorite authors, etc., but when we look to these things we are not also looking at Jesus.

Anything that moves us away from God, no matter how flattering the presentation cannot be trusted without some verification. And when we are thinking and talking with our neighbors we must keep in mind that not everything said or heard needs to be repeated. But when it comes to God, God does not need to impress anyone. He is impressiveness personified. And because of this we have to learn to see who God is in His person. Not just looking forward to what he can do for us. But to focus on who he is, and be satisfied with that.

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Commentary

Verse 77: When the word of God is our delight, we find it easier to see God’s mercy. This may be one of the primary reasons we struggle see and know God’s mercy. God’s word is what points to and describes what it means to experience God’s mercy. With the world the idea of mercy is often superficial and fluid. But when God speaks of mercy, we can trust it will mean the same thing to all who find need of it.

Verse 78: When those who oppose God’s will and ways cross our path, we may be surprised at their distaste for followers of God. We may not want to think like this. Or even to consider that this state is possible. But Jesus said that since the world had no need of him, it would have no need for us. But regardless of what the world does, we have to meditate and deeply consider what God’s word points to.

Verse 79: This verse almost has an evangelistic implication. The idea of having those who seek after God to turn to the Psalmist is odd. But the reason for requesting this kind of relationship is so that the writer can tell of what God has done. It can often be overlooked, and even dismissed, but one of the best things any congregant can hear every week is God’s word. Without it we are lost and without it we have no reason to share the gospel with those around us.

Verse 80: Throughout the psalm, we catch glimpses of the author’s struggles. The struggle to live in accord with God’s expectation can be daunting. But if we stick to what God has revealed, we may discover how much easier it is to live before God. Holiness is a difficult topic, and yet we are called to cultivate a life in keeping with this ideal. Being blameless is not that you never make a mistake. It’s a commitment you will continue to grow toward God, in spite of the inadequacies you see in the mirror.

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Psalm 119:73-76

⁷³ Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments*.
⁷⁴ Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Worship

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Reflection

How doe we know that God is at work in us? This is one of the most difficult questions to answer. Not because we can’t know, but because God works at a pace we don’t always recognize.

There are times when God can, has, and does act with immediate effect. But the reality of God’s activity in our lives is more often slow and steady. It is a process that may even be described as unnoticeable. The reasons for this are two-fold. First, God is good and gracious. God knows what we can handle. So, he works in such a way that we are moving in a heavenward direction, but not so fast as to cause us to become discouraged.

The second reason for God’s pacing is he knows that if we see too much change too fast we will become dependent on his provision rather than find comfort in his presence. The abiding presence of God is the true inheritance of his children. Everything else is an added bonus to this.

The word of God provides us the information we need for transformation. But that information takes time to work because struggle to live in obedience to what it requires. And it is this obedience, the its absence, that helps us gauge how much fruit God has borne in us.

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Commentary

Verse 73: We have been fashioned in the image of God. While the natural means of conception appear to keep us distant from God’s personal act of creation, the reality is greater than we may understand. Every person conceived has imprinted within them that aspect of God’s person that makes us unique and special. We are living monuments to God’s glorious beauty. And when we recognize how his image becomes our visage we will recognize why conforming our lives to his commands is so vital. When we live according to what God has said, we reflect him most clearly.

Verse 74: When we live in faithful submission to God’s word, our hope becomes the joy of others who claim to belong to God as well. The bonds of confraternity that exists among those who share a common trust in God’s word are powerful. But only when we embrace them as being so. To be known by those who know God’s word is a great hope when times of difficulty arise.

Verse 75: A key realization for those who trust in God is to see his rules as good and helpful to us. They are not merely the restrictive impositions of a hard-hearted God. That is why when we are confronted with trials we can stand. We trust God to bring us through what comes our way. We may prefer to avoid the tribulations of life, but God most often delivers through and not just from what we find ourselves enduring in life.

Verse 76: What God has promised, God will fulfill. He has said that we will never be left alone nor forsaken. This is a power reminder of what we have when we are in fellowship with God. In a way, the Psalmist is demonstrating that we have to allow ourselves to be loved by God. God already loves us, But, we can behavior is such a way that we do not feel it, even when it is present.

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Psalm 119:69-72

⁶⁹ The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts*;
⁷⁰ their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
⁷¹ It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

As the years have passed, the more wonderful and precious God’s word becomes.

There may have been a time when I thought I could live without the Scripture’s influence in my life. I had treated the word as helpful advice, ancient wisdom, or just practical ideas for living. However, this is not what God’s word is.

God’s laws, commandments, precepts, and statutes, all of these ways of seeing God’s revelation, are God’s self-expression. God speaks into the world and we should take that effort more seriously than we do. We should give his utterances the proper weight they deserve, for they are the verbalization of God’s mind.

So, when we read and meditate on God’s word, we are interacting with the very mind of God. Let’s therefore approach this priceless treasure with the dignity and care it merits.

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Commentary

Verse 69: It does not matter what those who oppose us say or do, we must remain faithful to God’s precepts. An important caveat here is this: we must not be guilty of what those who speak against us are saying. If we are being falsely maligned, we must not succumb to responding in kind. We must become more committed to living in accord with God’s character. If we do not keep God precepts “with my whole heart,” we give opportunities for our enemies, whether spiritual or physical, to find an entry point. We must work to fortify our defenses when under attack.

Verse 70: As a continuation of the previous verse, the idea of “their heart” being incapable of feeling is quite interesting. It seems the reason for the smears is due to our attackers lack of “delight” in God’s law. When we know God’s law, and are being shaped by it, we refrain from doing to others what we do not want done to us. We are able to make links between actions and consequences. The law of God is the forge in which our conscience is molded. Without God’s law, we become untethered to what is true and righteous.

Verse 71: When given the choice between comfort and tribulation, it would be safe to say, most people would choose comfort. So, the idea here is not an invitation to tribulation, but a reframing of it. To be able to look at the difficult circumstances of life and to then see how God’s word becomes real to us is an important component of a mature faith. The greater our focus on God’s statutes, the better our ability to endure, even in the most difficult of times.

Verse 72: There is nothing that compares to the value of God’s law. Not even gold and silver can be traded or exchanged for it. This view of the worth of God’s law is one many overlook. In order to better understand what treasure we possess, we have to reconnect the object with the giver. When we see that God has given us this precious gift, we can better appreciate the importance of what we have been granted access to in the Scriptures.

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Psalm 119:65-68

⁶⁵ You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word*.
⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
⁶⁸ You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

The word of God has a purpose we often miss. And the reason we miss it is we have made an incorrect assumption for why God provided a written testament of his will. The purpose we miss is that God wants to shape our characters by the words he has given to us. When we begin to look at the word of God as the instrument God uses to conform our thoughts and wills to his heart, we may very well begin to see the growth we long for.

The underlying assumption for why we miss this purpose is much simpler than we may want to conceed. We don’t want anyone telling us what to do!

We think that heeding God’s word and obeying God’s commands will amount to a repressive restriction upon our person. The problem with thinking this way is it says a great deal about what we believe about God’s intentions toward us. God is “good and [does] good.”

To fail to trust in God’s eternal goodness is to reject everything else we think we know about God. The more we fight against God’s goodness the harder our ability to grow. If God restricts our access to something, we should rejoice. It means God has our best interests at heart. He knows more than we will ever understand. To trust God, even when we do not fully understand his plan, is the best decision we can ever make.

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Commentary

Verse 65: God will deal with all of us according to the same standard, his word. What this means is God does not show any favoritism toward any one person. The commonly used word in the scriptures to describe this is “impartiality.” God applies the same standard to all people. That is comforting. It means that we are no better or no worse off before God. God will deal with us without comparing us to anyone else.

Verse 66: Having “good judgment and knowledge” should be something every believer seeks. But, how are we to acquire it? How do we maximize our chances of attaining these good qualities? Interestingly, the writer of Psalm 119 says they come through our believing in God’s commandments. What makes this an odd relationship is we are often told to understand so that we can believe. However, what if, in God’s economy of things, when we believe we come to know? While we may intuitively seek to know first, it may well be worth our energy to believe first and see how that improves our knowing.

Verse 67: We have to recognize the connection between our disobedience to God’s word and our going astray. If we don’t we will wonder why our choices never seem to satisfy our longing. Going astray from God is the preceding action to being afflicted. We are not afflicted because we go astray. When we go astray from God is when affliction can come. And if we are afflicted when we are away from God, we don’t have God to lean on. When we keep God’s word, we are setting ourselves up to be comforted by God because we know what God expects of and desires for us.

Verse 68: The testimony of the Psalmist is that God is both good and a doer of good. This description of God is helpful because it reminds us that God’s character does not change. We can expect God to do good because of who he is. He is a good God. It is in the context of that goodness that we can call upon God to teach us his statutes. If we desire to be good like God, then we must learn to think and live like God as well.

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Psalm 119:61-64

⁶¹ Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not forget your law*.
⁶² At midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your righteous rules.
⁶³ I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
    teach me your statutes!

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

The company we keep will influence two important aspects of life. Our friends will impact our perspective on life and our ability to overcome obstacles.

How we view the world is greatly informed by the people we have around us. If they generally have a negative view of the world and of how events will turn out, we will find ourselves mimicking that as well. However, if they are positive and look for the “win,” that will also inform, to varying degrees, how we approach the circumstances of life.

The second area our friends impact us has to do with our resilience. Now, this does not mean that you don’t ever get down or discombobulated. It just means, based on the description above, if our friends have a dim view it is easier to stay out of sorts. The inverse also being true. Upbeat and positive friends look for ways to pick you up. Even if we are not quick to change our attitude or thinking, it can be helpful to know there are others there to support you.

These are not hard and fast rules. They are broad descriptions that have been borne out in my life. But, it should be clear, we are not talking about a naive view of the world. We are talking about recognizing how who we associate with has a greater affect on us than we may like to admit.

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Commentary

Verse 61: In the course of living, there are times where others my want to cause us harm. And regardless of the way that harm comes, it can create in us anxiety and worry about our lives. These kinds of situations cannot all be avoided. So, we must make every effort to be prepared. In the verse we see that preporation is best achieved when we do not “forget your law.” In God’s commandments, we find wisdom for how to overcome and even endure difficult moments.

Verse 62: As we mentioned briefly in another section, descriptions of the time of day are many times metaphorical. Referring to some other contextual idea. In this case, it would appear that the reference to “midnight” is another reference to difficulty or times when our peace is being challenged. In these times we ought to still find reasons to praise God. And our praise will make more sense because we are grounded in God’s revelation. In those words preserved for us in the Scripture, we make discoveries of God’s goodness and his manifold promises. These discoveries open up for us newer and deeper and better insights of who God truly is.

Verse 63: Walking by faith can feel daunting at times. However, there is great comfort in knowing we do not walk alone. The Psalmist acknowledges that there are others who also fear the Lord. And it is those fellow travelers who make up the body of the faithful. Our shared faith works to strengthen us and encourage us throughout our journey. What should not be overlooked is that the writer is talking about a specific group of people. Not just anyone meets the criteria for this cohort. It is those who “keep your precepts” who are to be seen as fellow journeyman.

Verse 64: God’s love is the attribute of his character that is most clearly seen in Jesus. The work of redemption on and through the cross are key to understanding God’s love toward us. What is remarkable here is the description of where God’s love resides. It exists and is seen in the whole earth. The creation is a testament to God’s love for us. When we recognize this, we can “see” more of God’s love. The connection to God’s word is this, as we see God’s love in creation (or what is often called “general revelation”) we can then see God’s love in his Word (or “special revelation”). God is at work in the natural world and he is at work in the spiritual world. It’s not one of the others it is both. And usually at the same time.

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Psalm 119:57-60

⁵⁷ The Lord is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words*.
⁵⁸ I entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ When I think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
⁶⁰ I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

When our lives are dependent on who God is rather than on what provides, we will find it easier to live in and through difficult circumstances. We are no longer slaves to the events of life, whether good or bad.

The reality of God’s provision is too often tied to material things. While God can and has provided for people in physical ways, the deeper promise is to give us himself. To open the doors of his throne room and allow us in.

To be a child of God is to have access to the only one who can free us from the trials and tribulations of this broken world. This is why we must rely upon God’s word as a guide and teacher. It prepares us for and positions in the right mindset to live with God.

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Commentary

Verse 57: The link between God’s sustaining power and our faithful obedience should not be overlooked. When we live in accord to God’s commands we become the beneficiaries of God’s very person. This is one of the reasons we are instructed by Jesus to pray for “daily bread.” We are to depend upon God first. If he provides for us through supernatural means (like manna from the sky) or through natural means (like a good job) we are to give God thanks for his presence.

Verse 58: One of the many comforts of a relationship with God is how we are able to approach God. We are not cut off from God. We are able to approach God and to be heard by him. This is comforting because it means that God’s discipline will not be punitive. It will not destroy us. When we know God’s love, we can have peace of mind regarding how God will deal with us when we have faltered in our daily living.

Verse 59: Self reflection is an important and underutilized practice. We don’t have to take a negative view of ourselves to know we still have a lot to learn. Having this awareness is a powerful reminder of how much we need God’s word. The more time we spend in it, the clearer our understanding of what we need to address in our lives. Perfection is not the goal of the journey of faith. Maturity is the goal. And this, to put it plainly, means living according to who God is and who we are.

Verse 60: Diligence is a word that should define our interaction with God’s word. We should not just know the contents of Scripture. We should be striving to align our thoughts and action to what they teach. The connection between knowledge and practice should be strengthened as we grow on this journey toward God.

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Psalm 119:53-56

⁵³ Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law*.
⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my sojourning.
⁵⁵ I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep your law.
⁵⁶ This blessing has fallen to me,
    that I have kept your precepts.

* Through these reflections, those phrases that identify God’s word, revelation, or law will be highlighted in the text in the hopes of accentuating the many and varied ways we can visualize what God has given to us for our good.

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Reflection

The longer we meditate on and linger with God’s word, the greater our ability to understand God’s heart. The word is not a window into the mysteries of God’s being. Rather it is like water washing away what has been keeping us from seeing clearly.

The world can put so much in our way, it can become difficult to notice what God is doing. We have to continually wash all of that debris away. We have to diligently make the effort to keep our vision clear.

It can feel like a daunting task, but the fact we have God’s word means we can do it. Maybe not perfectly. Maybe even not like we would like to. But if we keep using the cleansing properties of God’s word we will see with renewed eyes.

It can be difficult to make sense of how God’s word works in our lives. It certainly can. The question is whether we will fight through those insecurities and persevere until the end.

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Commentary

Verse 53: When we know God’s word; when we have accepted the word’s role in how we live and think; and then we see some blatantly living and speaking against what God has given, it can be anger inducing. But why? Because they forsake God’s law and then seem to prosper. Or they forsake God’s law and then rail against all we have seen and heard from God. This is one of the more candid confessions in the Psalm. It’s presence is helpful, instructive, and liberating. It means we can be honest with God and God is not bothered by our struggles.

Verse 54: The idea of the words of God being like the Psalmist’s “songs” in the those places that are not home is an interesting perspective. The safety and security God’s word affords his people is without equal. It is a wonder so few take advantage of what we have access to. Seeing God’s statutes as something worthy of singing about may appear strange to us, but maybe that line of thought must be challenged and amended.

Verse 55: Particularly in poetic language, when the word “night” is used, it usually means more than just the time of day. From a metaphorical stand point it points to separation from God. However, within the context of Psalm 119, we see that night has a slightly different intent. Here, it appears to us, that the Psalmist is using night to describe those times when it would be easy to dismiss or ignore or become lazy in holding onto God’s law. This why it is important to remember it. Because when we forget, we lose the light of our path in times and places where God is least felt as present.

Verse 56: In the keeping of God’s precepts, there is a blessing already contained within this obedience. We too often think that our obedience will be the catalysts for some other blessing. What we must learn to appreciate is that the fact we are living in obedience is evidence of God’s gracious intervention. When we are living out what God has commanded, we can rejoice in how God has transformed our minds and hearts to the point we desire to obey. This in itself is a blessing.

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