Monday 7 January, 2019

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees. 146 I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. 149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws. 150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. 151 Yet you are near, Lord, and all your commands are true. 152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. 153 Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. 156 Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws. 157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. 158 I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. 159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love. 160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. 161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. 165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 166 I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands. 167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. 168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

This is such a beautiful psalm. If you have time now, I encourage you to read it again slowly and out loud.

What stands out to you?

Why?

What is it saying to you, at this time?

When I did this, the last part of this psalm (verses 161-168) really hit me. I was struck by the fact that Gods Word is truly the psalmists foundation. The “Word” here is referred to by a number of names – promise, law, commands, statutes and precepts. He says that the Word makes; his heart tremble, causes him to rejoice, helps him know what is true and false, causes him to praise, brings him peace and salvation. In knowing the Word he (the psalmist) knows God and he loves God. He experiences God in his daily life and is strengthened to carry on no matter what, and his life was full of difficulties and challenges.

This psalm compels me to know God’s word better and truly have it as my foundation. I want to be able to say with the psalmist that I too have great peace because I love his law (Word) and nothing can make me stumble (Psalm 119:165).

Thank you for your word God and for all your promises to us! May we read it and meditate on it daily. Make it alive to us by your Holy Spirit. May we know you better each day and experience you in all things. May your Word be our foundation and may we be able to testify that we have great peace, salvation and joy in you.

Amen

Written by Ps. Zoe Stewart