By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
GOD’S TRUTH
Psalm 119:1–16
Psalm 119 is a giant among the psalms that demonstrates the full flowering of the delight in the Lord’s instruction described in Psalm 1.
Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm, an alphabet of prayers and reflections on the Word of God that gives each Hebrew letter its turn to introduce eight successive verses on the qualities of the Bible. This longest of psalms and chapters in the Bible stands as the Mount Everest of the Psalter.
God’s Instruction Given (1–4)
Psalm 119 begins by emphasizing the happiness of people who walk according to the Lord’s instruction. In verse 1 the writer employs three terms that were used in Psalm 1. He uses “happy,” “walk” and “instruction.” God reveals in His Word how His people are to live a good and godly life by means of His instruction. True happiness is only achieved by ordering your life according to the Word of God.
To experience purpose, meaning and fulfillment, you need God in your life. You need to know who God is, who you are as a human being created in the image of God and what God expects of you.
The blameless not only do what is right before God, but they also avoid what is wrong. In this age that tells you to follow your own heart and do whatever makes you happy, it is vitally important to remember that God commands us to obey Him. God does not offer opinions or suggestions; He commands obedience to His Word.
Obedience to God’s Word (5–8)
It is hard at times to distinguish where the psalmist’s testimony ends and prayer begins. In verse 5 the psalmist confesses to the Lord that his desire to obey God’s Word is far from perfect. “Statutes” refer to the moral boundaries God has established. God has declared what is right and what is wrong, and we are all accountable to God for how we obey His statutes.
We too must confess our inconsistency in keeping God’s statutes. Even as we are forgiven in Christ, we all still battle indwelling sin (Rom. 7:13–25).
The psalmist reveals his desire to honor God through faithful obedience to His Word. Obedience honors God and keeps us from shame. We are to seek God by rightly knowing His Word both intellectually as we study it and experientially as we obey it.
Verse 8 is a strong resolution, a sincere confession and an urgent plea. The psalmist pleads with God to stick by him in his determination to live according to God’s instruction.
The Goal of God’s Word (9–16)
A young man can keep his way pure with an ongoing commitment to know and obey God’s Word. As sinful creatures living in a fallen world, there is nothing simple about this pursuit. If we are to keep our way pure, we must seek the Lord with all our hearts. We need renewed hearts in order to delight in God and live every aspect of life for His glory.
The psalmist is happy in the Lord because he memorizes and meditates on His precepts. He rejoices and delights in God’s decrees and statutes.
The psalmist is determined not to forget God’s instruction because he values it. He will be intentional about remembering what God has said so he will not lose his joy. May God strengthen our hearts so that we do not forget His instruction.
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