Tonight’s Bible study concluded our whistle-stop tour of Psalm 119, the longest of all the psalms. This acrostic poem begins each stanza with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and whilst the skill of the writer can’t be fully appreciated in English, the sentiment of the psalm – extolling God’s word and reflecting how this is the only sure guide to life – certainly can.
There is a contrast throughout the psalm between those who love God’s word and follow it and those who don’t (see Ps 119:81-82, 113-115). Those who meditate on God’s word find in it delight and wonder (Ps 119:129), illumination (Ps 119:105, 130), insight and understanding (Ps 119:98-100) and are upheld and sustained through adversity through it (Ps 119:114-117). No matter what the difficulties (persecution, adversity, affliction and troubles), the psalmist remains confident of God’s help (Ps 119:140).
One of the things which gives confidence is the fact that God’s word is eternal, as is His righteousness (Ps 119:89, 142,160). In Hebrew, this word carries with it the idea of without limits or boundaries (see Ps 119:96). No matter what, we can always find something fresh in God’s word, for it is living and active (Heb 4:12) and will endure (Is 40:8). God’s statutes, commands and laws guide us in the right paths (Ps 119:101, 104) and allow us to wait for God’s salvation. (Ps 119:166) Whilst we wait, we follow His commands, living in the light as He is in the light.
