This acclamation and response has become one of the most common used during the celebration of Easter in the Christian Church all over the world. It declares the glorious news that Jesus conquered sin and death.
After all that happened at Jesus’s trial and crucifixion, the hope of the disciples seemed lost. The darkness of the day seemed to seep into their souls as well.
But, on Sunday morning everything Jesus said was restored by his exit from the tomb. In that moment hope and joy were infused with life and power. The promises of God from ages passed were being kept and fulfilled.
Today we celebrate. We celebrate because what once appeared lost and finished was only just the initiation. The end of one story had become the opening lines of a new chapter of another. And this new story was filled with possibilities never before imagined.
On that first “Good” Friday, there was nothing good happening. At least not from an earthly perspective.
The Son of God was falsely accused and tried in the middle of night. Those who should have defended him fled for their lives. And all who wanted him dead were doing all in their power to see it happen.
But if this is all you could see, then a dark picture was taking shape.
We look back with a different vantage point. What we see, is filtered through the completed text of the New Testament and the collective wisdom of a church 2,000 years removed from those difficult event.
As the Holy Spirit began to work in and through those first Christians, the overwhelming sadness of that first Good Friday would give way to an incomparable joy. The light of God’s grace in the sacrifice of his Son would change everything we ever thought we knew about God.
All of the questions that were lingering in the mind of those disciples would eventually find their answer in the resurrection of Sunday morning. The darkness on Golgotha as Jesus entrusted his spirit to the Father would be replaced by the shining brilliance of a risen savior.
The reality of Good Friday is not that Sunday is coming. Even though it is.
The most helpful thing to remember about that first Good Friday is that in spite of what we know or think we know, if God is involved we need to wait and see what God has in store.
The call to a holy patience is not easy to tolerate. But it is the price we pay to see how God fulfills his promises.
Let us give thanks to God for Good Friday. It is the first step toward a resurrection on Sunday.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts*. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget 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.
Reflection
As we conclude our study through Psalm 119, I wanted to take a little time and look at what we have learned. The author of this psalm wanted to look at and extol the wonders, beauty, and majesty of God’s word. The synonyms and images used to describe God’s revelation have been many. And the implications are just as varied.
First, God’s word is not just for religious exercise. Engaging and consuming of God’s word has very practical ramifications for how we live in the world and with others. To know how to live well, we need the best information and insights we can get. There is no greater wisdom than that given by God. Therefore, we should seek it, meditate on it, and employ it in our daily living.
Second, God’s word is a source of comfort. The constant reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness are found throughout God’s word. We are given encouragement to remember the grace and mercy of God; to be called to deep trust and truer affection of God as we read and consider the history recorded.
Third, God’s word is a library of instruction. God desires for his people to know how to live in a way that reflects his character. In order to achieve this, we have to learn what is in line with God’s character what is not. As we study God’s word, we can see what he commands. As we grow in our obedience, we are transformed. As we are transformed, we become more like Jesus, who is our example of a God-filled life.
Finally, God’s word is a promissory note. What God has promised he will fulfill. To do anything less is to be accused of being a liar. God will comply with every promise he makes, and he makes no promise he cannot fulfill. This is the beauty of God’s love. He can do what he says. Just because we would have done things differently doesn’t mean God has failed. It should help us realize there are still things we don’t know.
God’s word is anchor for our faith. When we go to it we can find the God who gave us those words. But we have to be looking for him there to find him.
Commentary
Verse 173: The phrasing of the verse leaves the impression that the Psalmist, by choosing God’s precepts, is “reminding” God of what God has promised. Now, God does not need reminders. And that is not really the intent. The author is not putting a demand upon God. Rather, the author is acknowledging the reality of what God has promised to do when a believer lives in obedience to what God commands.
Verse 174: When we have come to know what God has said, our desire for salvation intensifies. What this would suggest is not that the gift of salvation has been rescinded and then reapplied. It would make more sense to see how delighting in God’s law is a steady reminder of the gift of which all who believe in Jesus are the beneficiaries of.
Verse 175: The write describes the posture of life they are taking. They want to live in such a way that it is obvious to all who see, that they are committed to God with the totality of their being. For the soul to “live and praise” God means that in daily living there will be an element of worship. That in all things God will be glorified.
Verse 176: The final verse of the psalm is a bit odd. The oddity is that after all the various ways that the Psalmist describes and rejoices in God’s faithfulness to keep them, they end on a note of deep humility. This acknowledgment of a tendency for failure serves two purposes. First, it is a humble admonition to wandering away from God is not only possible, but far more likely than we would like to admit. However, the petition is made for God to seek our the wandering sheep. Second, through this humble declaration we can see that we can trust in God’s faithfulness to seek us when we wander and to never abandon us when we feel like we have disappointed God. Even when we drift (or even run) off course, we know what we have learned about God. And it is this knowledge that will help us find our way back home.
169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word*! 170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. 171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.
* 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.
Reflection
The word of God is the great treasure of the Church. It is the message of hope for the lost and it is the perfect guide for those journeying towards heaven.
In the Scriptures we are given wisdom and counsel for living life. We are shown how to become angry and not sin, how to mourn and not lose hope.
As we turn the pages of our bibles we are able witness the miraculous works of God even among the foolishness of broken men and women.
On virtually every page the fullness of human frailty is on display. But right alongside this inadequacy we find the eternal strength of God.
The tapestry of history has been woven together by the steady hand of the God of heaven. Although the finished product escapes our understanding, we can trust in the vision and direction of the one who is weaving all things together.
Commentary
Verse 169: When we cry out to the Lord, we are expressing those deep needs of our hearts. In those moments we are seeking what only God can provide. While we all would like to be relieved of all the troubles of this world, there is something more important than the absence of pain. Living according to truth is vital to a life that pleases God and satisfies us. Therefore, what we need most of all, especially in times of difficulty is to understand what God is teaching us through his word. This kind of wisdom is clarifying and comforting.
Verse 170: As children of God we can petition the Lord. He has given us access to his presence. This access is a precious gift, and one we can enjoy often. When we bring to God our cares we must accept the deliverance he extends. We can become discouraged when God does not act according to our desires. But our desires do not compare the the infinite wisdom of God.
Verse 171: A grateful heart will give thanks for God’s instruction. Not because we liked what we were being taught, but because we were being taught by God. Not every lesson is easy. Sometimes the lessons we must face are difficult and costly. But if God is the teacher, then the reward is worth the price and the effort.
Verse 172: Not only is thankfulness an appropriate response to God’s faithfulness to his word, so is sing. When sing we are engaging not just the rational faculties of the mind, but also the emotional realities of the soul. The “right”-ness of God’s word only increases our confidence in joy when we sing.
165 Great peace have those who love your law*; nothing can make them stumble. 166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments. 167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
* 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.
Reflection
The Scriptures are not merely a collection of writings over the course of 1,600 centuries. They are more than that. The Old and New Testaments are the living record of God to his people. They are the testimonies of God’s work in, and through, and sometimes even in spite of his people.
To not see the hand of God in his word is to not see God at all. I know that may appear to be a stretch to some. However, to reduce the Bible to simply the writings of men is to strip God completely away from him.
As Christians, we already believe fantastic things in order to be saved. Why do we then struggle to believe that the Bible is God’s word and that God has said in those writings can be dismissed or ignored? It defies any reason to do so.
Let us trust in God and let us trust in his word. Let us give thanks to God and let us give thanks for his word. Let us live for God and let us live out his word.
Commentary
Verse 165: To walk in alignment with God’s word is to have a confidence and peace not available to others. The reason is not smugness or self-assurance. To walk in God’s word is to walk in God’s wisdom. Knowing this brings peace. There no reason to fear what may come our way because we can call upon God for wisdom and aid.
Verse 166: There is no tension or contradiction between trusting in God to save and walking in obedience to God. As a matter of fact, the Psalmist seems to imply that this is the exact relationship between these two realities. To have hope in God to redeem is not antithetical to living our lives in submission to God’s commands. When we learn this we will be free to enjoy the wonder of God’s love and the reward of sincere obedience.
Verse 167: God’s word is spiritual. It is something we do not always remember. But it is something we should strive to remind ourselves of. While what God says may be enacted through physical activity, the true purpose is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. This transformation is one of the primary goals of our redemption. Also, because the word of God is of a spiritual nature, we can appreciate its worth by how it draws us deeper affection to them. As our love for God’s word grows so will our love for God. For the point to him and reveal him to us.
Verse 168: Nothing we do escapes God’s gaze. Therefore, we are better off to live our lives keeping God’s “precepts and testimonies.” To do any less is to deny the place of God’s word in our lives, and by extension God himself.
161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words*. 162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
* 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.
Reflection
As we begin what is commonly called Holy Week, we enter one of the most important times of celebration in the Christian faith. What makes this week important is it affords us an intentional opportunity to remember the gift of salvation we have been given.
In the busyness of life we can become quite distracted. The number of things that draw our attention can be overwhelming. Not that all of them are evil or sinful. The problem we have is that we find it hard to refocus back on what God is calling us to.
This is why I appreciate the season of Lent. It is a time of preparation. But it also affords me the space to consider what takes up too much time in my life.
The discipline of taking stock of our lives is one we should not take for granted. In fact, we should take advantage of these times in the year when we can look at what we are doing and make important decisions. Decisions about what we want to change or adjust to maintain our focus on Jesus and our spiritual growth.
Commentary
Verse 161: The source of persecution may take the form of officials in high places, but even then the admonition is to stay true to God’s word. Here we see the Psalmist describe this commitment as “awe.” There is something inspiring about God’s word. It is simple enough for a child to read and yet profound enough to keep our attention for years. The depth of God’s word is miraculous.
Verse 162: To see the word of God as a treasure is one of the best ways of thinking about. The imagery here is that of discovery. The writing is minding their own business and come upon the “great spoil” of God’s word. One option is to ignore what you have found. But, when you know the value what you now have before you, it is difficult not to rejoice.
Verse 163: The law of God is juxtaposed with falsehood. This means that the word of God is the measure of all claims. If what we are being told is not consistent or congruent with God’s word, then we have to be cautious in entertaining it. We cannot live in accord with God’s purposes if we are adopting falsehoods as a part of our lives.
Verse 164: Thankfulness for God’s gracious gift of his word is an everyday event. Or at least it should be. The phrase “seven times a day” is a poetic way of saying continually. There ought not be an end to our appreciation for all God has revealed to us.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies*. 158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. 159 Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. 160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
* 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.
Worship
Reflection
On the Sunday before Jesus’s arrest, trial, and ultimate crucifixion he entered the City of David for the final time. In a few short days, the earthly sojourn of the Son of God would achieve its purpose.
The redemption of humanity was a task that only God could accomplish. In the span of three years, Jesus of Nazareth went from obscurity to notoriety. Those who loved him, saw the hope of the world. Those who despised him, saw an interloper in their plans. Those who misunderstood him, betrayed him. Those who hated him, sought to kill him.
How could Jesus do it? How could he enter the city knowing what was to come? The question confounds us because if we knew what Jesus knew, we would do everything in our power to escape.
But Jesus was not a prophet like Jonah, who ran in the other direction.
Jesus was not a king like David, who stayed home when he should go to fight.
Jesus was not a man like me, weak and timid in the face of great challenges.
We know the struggle of the Mount of Olives would come. We know that the request for reprieve would be made.
But we also know the surrender of obedience was perfectly fulfilled.
We have the benefit of looking back. Of seeing across the pages of Scripture the events unfolding like a perfect drama.
However, few knew then what we know now. In truth, only Jesus knew what awaited him. Only Jesus.
This is the challenge of Palm Sunday. And it is the beauty of it as well.
Commentary
Verse 157: The challenges of life would rob us of of the will to hold fast to God’s testimonies. We must not surrender to them. In the midst of struggle and strife, of challenges and challengers, we must continue resolved to what we have seen and come to know about God.
Verse 158: In one of the more raw expressions in the Psalm, we see the rancor of the Psalmist toward those who have rejected God’s commands. Why does he feel this disdain? We cannot be sure. However, we can make a comparison. Based on the writers love for and trust in God’s word, we can catch a glimpse of the value he places on it. So, to see others not valuing what they perceive as being of infinite worth causes feelings of disgust to rise in the writer.
Verse 159: As a continuation of the previous verses sentiments, we see a clear declaration of love for the precepts of God. We again see an admonition for God to give the Psalmist life according to God’s steadfast love. This is the basis of the writers confidence. There is no other reason for either making the request or expecting an answer. If God’s love is not present, life will not flow toward us.
Verse 160: Every word of God is truth. What is interesting of the phrasing here is that “truth” is in the singular. The totality of God’s revelation can be seen as one unified whole. This is an important perspective as it forces us to reevaluate how we interact with the Scriptures. In one sense they are a library of texts. But, in another, more profound way, they are one text. The interplay between these ideas is vital to a healthy understanding of God’s revelation.
153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law*. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. 156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules.
* 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.
Reflection
For the people of God, the miracle of holy writ serves as the foundation of faith and life. Without God’s wisdom codified, we will have to difficult time transitioning to God’s wisdom personified.
If we desire to live in a manner worthy of God’s love, we have to understand what God’s love creates in us. What I do not mean is that we are trying to earn God’s favor, as if by good works. But that we, recognizing the beauty of God’s free gift, want to do all we can to show our appreciation to God.
These realities do not need to be confused. We can live in obedience, but not in an effort to manipulate God. And we can live in a posture of thankfulness, and not take what God has done for granted.
If we could recapture the balance and the tension of this, we may well understand what has been missing in the Church in recent years. Our efforts to simplify have become oversimplifications. There is a difference. And not knowing what it is can be hazardous to our faith.
As the old hymn captured it: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way / to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.’ [Source]
Commentary
Verse 153: There have been several instances where the effect of affliction has been tied to not forgetting God’s law. The implication of this theme is that when we are under duress, the initial inclination will be to abandon what God has commanded. This tendency must be anticipated and it should not be a surprise when this feeling emerges. Remembering God’s word is an important discipline to develop before times of great stress and difficulty.
Verse 154: The kind of life we live will be impacted by the many choices we make in life. If those choices are made without the counsel of God and the wisdom of his word, we put ourselves at risk. As we grow in our understanding of God’s promises, we can better appreciate the life God is leading us to live. Over the course of our lives, we become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s work in us. This increased sensitivity is what supports and fortifies our trust in God’s direction.
Verse 155: The Psalmist points to the relationship between salvation of the soul and obedience to God’s statutes. It should not be said that obedience guarantees salvation. That is not the direction of the text. Rather, the lack of obedience reveals that an individual has not reckoned honoring God’s commands as worthy of their efforts. This lack of submission indicates an absence of relationship. Without a relationship with God there can be no salvation. So, according to the author, our seeking of God’s statutes serves as a barometer of what we believe about God and our relationship to him.
Verse 156: This refrain of “give me life” happens several times in the Psalm and twice in this selection of verses. It is an acknowledgment of God’s unique place as the source of true life. This call from the Psalmist to God is instructive. By connecting the power of God to give life to the rules of God (and all the other synonymous phrases used), we can see how God uses his word to cultivate our faith and hope in him. What God says leads us to know who God is and what he has done for our redemption.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice* give me life. 150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. 151 But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. 152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.
* 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.
Reflection
When we approach God, an important consideration is whether we understand how God has revealed he will act. The reason we have to keep this in mind is when we don’t we run the risk of mischaracterizing who God is. When God says, “This is who I am,” we should take God at his word.
God’s character is what God says it is. Not what I wish it was. That means if God does anything contrary to his character, he could be accused of being a liar. And if God is a liar, then he cannot be trusted. And if God cannot be trusted, then he is not worthy of worship or allegiance.
Our study of God through his word is one of the surest ways we have to better understand how we build our relationship with God. When we do not know what God has done or what God has said, we cannot really know how we should behave around God.
The longer I live, the more I think about this. If I want to know God, I have take what God has said about himself more seriously. I have to hold God’s “feet to the fire” so to speak. And God is not afraid of my approaching him on these terms.
Commentary
Verse 149: The Psalmist pleads with God to hear and to give them life according to God’s love and justice. These two realities are the ultimate expressions of God’s grace. We are loved like a child by a good father, and we are shown mercy when what we deserve wrath from a holy judge. The tension these realities create could only be reconciled by God. This is why they should inspire awe and give us the courage to request both from God.
Verse 150: Our distance from God’s law is an indication of what we are capable of. This is true in us, and it is true in those who seek to do us harm. The language of persecution reveals the intensity of the opposition. When we are under such attack we must remember the promises of God’s word as they are expressed in God’s law.
Verse 151: The Psalmist has expressed several times that the veracity of God’s commandments can be best seen in our nearness to God. This nearness is not a physical proximity. What is being described is a nearness of character. As we are conformed to God’s character, we see more clearly why what God says is true. This verse is also an extension of the thought in previous verse. Particularly in the idea that our nearness to God is a blessing to us, but for those that persecute us, the distance distorts their moral compass.
Verse 152: What God has revealed will never fail and they cannot be revoked. This is the simplest way of understanding the writers idea here. The reason? Because they are grounded in God’s own being. “You founded them forever” connects what God says with who God is, as we have seen before.
