Psalm 119 (vv145-160)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Qoph – The truth of God’s Word^­

¹⁴⁵ With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
    I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁶ I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I hope in your words.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
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.

Resh – Love for God’s Word^­

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.
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.

 

Reflection

• “I rise before dawn” (v147). Christians throughout history have been practicing this discipline of dedicating our first word, thought, and time of each day to our God of creation.
• How would such discipline help you face the challenges and excitement of everyday life?
• The phrase “Plead my cause” in v154 is a legal term. The writer is asking God to be his advocate – essentially, he is asking God to represent him as his attorney. As followers of Christ, we have the promise of a divine attorney that represents us in God’s courtroom. His name is Jesus (ref 1 John 2:1-2).
• “All your words are true” (v160, NV). The psalmist continued the theme in v152 and affirmed again his belief that God’s Word has endured and will endure forever.
• Continue praying for the personal struggles you are facing or for someone else who is struggling. Remember, we have an advocate in heaven (1 John 2:1-2) who intercedes with God on our behalf (Romans 8:34-39).

 

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

^­    Subtitle of each paragraph is from http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm