The Bible Lessons

OCTOBER 1, 2000

Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

"Blessed": In the Hebrew this word is an interjection or exlamation, "How happy!" It is a strong term of rich delight and jubilant gladness. "Undefiled": Entire, complete, perfect. "The way": "The way in which a man must tread in order to be safe, holy and happy." Adam Clarke. "Walk": Move, progress, go forward, follow, conform, obey and fully practice. "Lord": When you see in the Old Testament this word "LORD" in capital letters, it is translated from the Hebrew word Jehovah, which means "the self-existent, or eternal One," referring to God the Father, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

The happiness and inward satisfaction of one who loves and obeys the holy law of God by far supercedes all the thrills and superficial pleasures of the worldly, fleshly, material side of life.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

"Blessed": Same as in verse 1, "How happy!" "Keep": This word is used many times in this psalm. It is generally defined as "to guard, protect, maintain, attend to and obey." "Whole heart": This is "the complete and entire devotion and fervent desire." "Seek": To search diligently for, inquire after, follow ardently after, pursue with great and strong purpose of heart.

The reward for diligence in seeking after God with one's whole heart, and being careful and strict to maintain faith and complete trust in the truth of what God has testified in His Word, will bring a glory and richness to our souls so real and precious.

3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

"Iniquity": Moral evil or wrong; that which is not equal or just, being contrary to God and His holy will. "His ways": The course or mode of life that is pleasing in the sight of God.

There must be a purpose and clear cut decision to depart from all iniquity and be obedient to what God commands in His word.

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. "Diligently": Vehemently, fervently, whole-heartedly, intensely, passionately, carefully and earnestly.

It takes real determined effort to measure up to and obey the teachings of the standards of God's precepts. A slothful and dilatory person will not make it in the true life of godliness. "If a man love me, he will keep my words." John 14:23.

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

"O": An exclamation of earnest longing and desire. "My ways": My actions, moves and activities. "Directed": To be fixed, set up and established.

No one can successfully live a true Christian life without a keen appetite and longing for the same. It is sad that so many have their desires for the world and the fulfillments of the flesh, and Christ is thus crowded out.

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

"Ashamed": Having a sense of dishonor and disgrace; also guilt, indecency and unworthiness. "Have respect": To regard with honour, esteem highly, hold sacred to the heart with pleasure, favor and care.

It is far better to bear the shame that sinful man may heap upon us for not catering to this wicked world than to bear the shame of transgressing God's Word and grieving His Holy Spirit.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

"Praise": To commend the worth of; express approval or admiration of; also to glorify and extol. "Uprightness": Straight and evenness of life and conduct, being level according to God's holy standard. "Learned": To be taught, trained, instructed and disciplined.

How wise and profitable to give ourselves so wholly to God that He can instruct and teach us of His righteous judgments!

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

"Forsake me not utterly": Do not let me go completely.

There are times in serving God that He permits us to pass through dark and weary times of suffering, when to all outward appearance we are forsaken and neglected of God. It is in these times when we must be very diligent to live pleasing to God in accordance with His Word. It has been proven by so many tested souls that God will bring us out to a wealthy place if we will, with purpose of heart, be faithful and obedient to Him.

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

"Cleanse his way": Change his habits and conduct and attitudes from the ways of the world of lust and sin, and make his ways pure and acceptable with God. "Take heed": To be observant to what God is saying and diligently conform to His ways and to obey all of His Word.

We deceive ourselves when we fail to have the repentant attitude to quit doing the things that are displeasing to God and to seek to do that which His Word teaches.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

"Wander": To stray; be misled, or mistaken; to transgress; to reel as if intoxicated, or to be enraptured by the allurements of sin.

God is faithful to deal with our souls and keep us on the true straight and narrow way that leads to life everlasting IF we will be faithful to diligently seek Him with all of our hearts.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. "Hid in mine heart": To cherish and hold sacred and dear in our regards and affections; to guard and protect the truth and ward off any intrusions of the vain thoughts and ideas of carnal men.

There are many foreign elements of ideas and opinions that are believed and promoted in this wicked world. The child of God must be constantly on guard against their appeal to human reason and logic. Remember how the tempter succeeded in getting Eve to transgress the commandment of God and made her feel she was justified in doing so. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

"Blessed": Adored and revered; worshipped, honored and lovingly esteemed.

"Teach me": Instruct, discipline and correct.

Keeping a proper attitude of worship and adoration toward God our Saviour will help keep us eager to receive the counsels and admonitions of His Word.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. "Declared": Make known, tally up and score; enumerate and recount; confess, acknowledge and speak forth.

The Lord God Almighty has made known, in mighty expressions, His Word and counsel for man. We, in turn, must be ready to speak forth His Word as He gives us opportunity. Above all we must live the life that speaks forth His Word in all holy conversation and godliness.

OCTOBER 8, 2000 Psalm 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

"Rejoice": To be happy, bright, cheerful, glad and full of joy in living a holy life that is in accordance with God's holy Word.

Having the proper sense of values is so important and means so much. Too many people are cursed with the disease of covetous and greedy desires for money and earthly wealth, and are blind to the true riches that are found in spiritual life and following the commandments of God.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. "Meditate": To ponder, reflect, study and converse with one's self concerning the precepts of God's Word. "Have respect unto thy ways": To regard with pleasure, favour or care to God's manner and way of working in our lives.

Many people never learn the wonderful art of meditation and reflecting upon the Word of God. A great wealth for the soul is obtained through prayer and earnest searching of the scriptures. But it can be greatly increased through pondering and thinking deeply on their teachings.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

"Delight": To look upon with gladness; to fondle, enjoy and find pleasure in. "Forget": To misplace or mislay; to not be aware of; lacking memory or attention.

It is easy to drift down the stream of forgetfulness. Satan has so many things to fill the mind with that will blot out the Word of God. But if we will delight ourselves in the Lord and find the joy of communing with Him through the avenue of His Word, our minds can be constantly refreshed and kept keen to remember His commandments.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. "Deal bountifully": Treat well; benefit or requite; ripen or fully develop. The bountiful dealings of God that we ask for may not always be material blessings. It is rather for us to learn to be content with the simple and lowly plane that God has given us in life and be attentive to the spiritual blessings in heavenly places that He wants us to experience and enjoy. God is faithful to supply our temporal and earthly needs, but He wants our main priority to be in spiritual things.

18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

"Open thou mine eyes": Uncover and make bare; take away the veil of the flesh and human logic. Enlighten the eyes of my understanding that I may know what is the hope of Thy calling and what the riches of the glory of Thy inheritance in the saints. (Eph. 1:18.) "Wondrous things": Things separate and distinquished from all else; things that are not revealed by flesh and blood, but by our Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 16:17.)

We must sense our own blindness and inability to perceive the things which eye has not seen nor ear heard. It is only through the Holy Spirit that our spiritual eyes can be truly opened. (I Cor. 2:9-10.) There are wondrous things hidden in the precious truths of the Scriptures.

19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. "Stranger": Foreigner, pilgrim, non-relative of a different culture; one whose real affections and riches are not in this world, who has here no continuing city, but seeks for one to come. (Hebrews 13:14.)

This world is not our final home. We are just sojourners here, passing through our first and last time. We do not fit very well in the groove of society. Our only true joy and pleasure as the children of God is our relationship and fellowship with Him. Our prayer and sincere desire is that God will reveal Himself to us in His holy commandments, which are not grievous, (I John 5:3) and enable us to obey them to the fullest.

20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

"My soul breaketh": So strong is my longing and hunger for Thy judgments to be fulfilled in my life that I am melted in tears and fervency of spirit until I am broken and humbled before Thee. I desire to be in Thy house to behold Thy beauty and to inquire in Thy temple. (Psalm 27:4.)

We have tasted life's pure river, and found a treasure that will never pass away. It is found in the Law of the Lord wherein we meditate day and night.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

"Rebuked": Reproved, scolded, upbraided, resisted and rejected. "Proud": Self-important; haughty; overbearing and disrespectful of authority. "Cursed": Having the sentence of evil and damnation from the displeasure and wrath of God. "Err": To stray, be mistaken; to transgress or wander from.

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy." Prov. 8:13. The Lord hates a proud look. (Prov. 6:16-17.) God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (I Peter 5:5.) The proud are resisted and not received. They are cursed, and if they do not humble their hearts before God they will meet their eternal doom in hell.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

"Reproach": Slander, disgrace, humiliating treatment or language. "Contempt": Disrespect, scorn, ridicule; being condemned or cast down.

We who are endeavoring to follow Christ are often subjected to reproach and contempt. Christ had His portion of this. It was prophesied of Christ, "In His humiliation His judgment was taken away." But if we will be faithful to the Lord in these times of suffering and humiliation, and keep His testimonies, we will be delivered from the groaning and bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:21.) 23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

"Princes": Head persons or rulers of any rank or class. "Sit": In judgment.

God's people have been summoned to the court of justice to be tried and called into question for their faith and obedience to the Word of God. Jesus said that this would be. "Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." Luke 21:14-15. It is wise and good to attentively gain knowledge and remembrance of what is written in the Word, that we might draw on it for comfort in times of need. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isa. 26:3.

24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

"Delight": Enjoyment and pleasure. "Counsellors": Source of advice and wisdom as to what to do or how to handle a situation.

The Word of the Lord is an enjoying influence in the heart of the child of God. There is comfort, hope, cheer and uplift which we find in the Holy Scriptures so beneficial to us. But the Word of God also furnishes wise counsel and advice for the perplexities and upheavals of our mortal life. Of course, this will be according to our input of study and getting a knowledge of the Word. Thus we will have somewhat for the Lord to draw upon and bring to our minds in the time of need. Note: We cannot expect the Lord to bring to our minds things that we have neglected to study on and learn about.

25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

"My soul cleaveth to the dust": Though we are born from above of the Spirit of God, we still are of the dust in our mortal frame. We have temptations, infirmities, difficulties and physical influences which causes us to have tendencies to be earth-bound. "Quicken thou me according to thy word": But our tendencies to be earth-bound can be richly overcome through the quickening power of the Word and the Spirit. He will quicken us and enable us to "mount up with wings as eagles; we shall run and not be weary and walk, and not faint." (Isa. 40:31.)

26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

"Declared": I have confessed and acknowledged before Thee that my ways and thoughts are not Your ways and thoughts. I am in need of a major overhaul of my whole realm of thought and understanding. I need to be taught of Thee, O Lord of wisdom. From Thy statutes and commandments I know I can learn of the heavenly way. Thou hast accepted my confession and I know that Thou wilt faithfully guide me.

OCTOBER 15, 2000 Psalm 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

"Understand": This word is a very important word in this 119th Psalm where it appears ten times. It is interesting to note the meaning of the Hebrew word from which the word "understanding" is translated. It means "to separate mentally or distinguish." It is more interesting to note that the Greek word in the New Testament from which "understanding" is translated means "to put together." We need the Lord to enlighten the eyes of our understanding, as Paul prayed for the brethren in Ephesians 1:16-18. We need to be able to separate and distinguish all the various issues and points of truth that God's Word contains, and then to rightly put them all in proper order. "Get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Prov. 4:7.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

"Melteth": Weeps, or is poured out. "Heaviness": Great depression and grief.

There are sorrows and adversities in life that are going to wring out your soul with tears you never thought possible. We all have feelings and emotions that can be crushed and greatly disturbed. I Peter 1:6 says that while we greatly rejoice in our eternal inheritance and hope in Christ, for a season we will be in heaviness through manifold temptations. Prov. 12:25 says, "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop (depressed and cast down): but a good word (the Word of God) maketh it glad." When we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in our souls, bringing a Scripture or some precept of His Word to our minds, we are strengthened with might to go forth triumphantly. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. "Grant me thy law graciously": The Hebrew says simply, "Favor me with your law."

We live in a cheating, lying, thieving world. The way of lying and falsehood crosses everyone's path, and many fall a prey therein. People lie for financial gain and for physical pleasure. "Putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." Eph. 4:25. "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man." Col. 3:9-10. "He that speaketh lies shall not escape." Prov. 19:5. "All liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Rev. 21:8. We cannot be in the way of lying and be favored with God's law at the same time.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. "Chosen": To select and decide upon by careful and attentive observation. "Laid before me": The words before me are not in the original text. The Hebrew says, "I have held level." To hold level means to equalize or counterbalance.

The reason so many reject the way of the Lord and His judgments is because, to their own carnal mind, the Lord's way is not equal. It just does not make good sense nor does it please their foolish notions. In the words of Ezekiel 18:25 we see this attitude manifested in the people: "Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?" Satan plays tricks with people's minds and gets them so misconstrued and warped that it makes the Lord's way look so undesirable and unwise. Note: Blessed is the man who can see with a clear mind the message of the Word of God and behold it as profitable, desirable and worthy of his pure decision.

31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame. "Stuck": Cleave and hold fast to; make inroads upon and roots down into.

It is not enough to recognize that God's will is good and profitable. We must join and attach ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. (Jer. 50:5.) We must spread out our roots and strike them deep into rich involvement and communion with God. We know that He will not put us to shame. We will not be sorry for giving ourselves so wholly unto the Royal Majesty of the heavens!

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

"Run": To rush, make haste and obey speedily. "Enlarge": to broaden and expand; to adjust to take in more; to strengthen and increase ability. As the Holy Spirit leads us to higher heights and deeper depths of consecration and communion with Him, we are eager to more fully comply with what our precious Lord is calling us to. We realize that our strength is small, but our God is able to give power to the faint; and increase strength to them that have no might. Thus our strength is in Him, and we that learn to lean on Him and wait upon Him shall be renewed in strength with power to mount up with wings as eagles to fly, and we shall run and not be weary, and walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31.)

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

"Teach": To point out, instruct and show.

The way of the Lord has to be learned. We do not know it by nature nor does it come without our desire and consent. We have to want to learn. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

"Understanding": Here again we have an imploring for understanding. From verse 27 we learned that it means to separate mentally or distinguish. It is to be able to know the various factors of godliness and to view them in their true light and purpose. "Keep thy law, Observe it": These two words "keep" and "observe" have meanings very similar. They both mean to guard, protect, maintain, attend to and obey. The Hebrew word for "observe" is often translated as "keep." We want to keep the law sacred and precious to our hearts in loving obedience and watchful guard against the enemy of our souls.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

"Make me to go": More properly said from the Hebrew: "Cause me to walk." The Lord promised in Ezekiel 36:25-27 to put His Spirit within us and cause us to walk in His statutes. The Lord is able to work "in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil. 2:13. This is preceded in verse twelve by Paul's admonition to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. I am a firm believer in the personal working of God in the individual soul. If we will have the reverence and submissive attitude and desire for God's will to be done, according to His holy commandments, be assured that He will assist us to be able to successfully carry it out.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

"Incline": To turn, stretch or bend. "Covetousness": Unjust gain.

God is gracious to work with us to help turn our hearts away from the attraction of material wealth (which is a temptation so many times) if we will be submissive to Him and resist the temptation. There is plenty of evidence around us of the folly of covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

"Vanity": That which will devastate, destroy and bring ruination; that which is deceptive, useless and vain.

He is speaking here of the eyes of the heart. We cannot keep from seeing, to a certain extent, the vanity which is so evident around us. But we do not have to look upon the vanities of this world and lust after them, committing spiritual adultery in our hearts. All that is in the world outside of the holiness of God is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Eccl. 2:11.)

We need the quickening, refreshing, enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit constantly in our souls, making the eternal things of God so real that we will always look upon the vanity of this world as vanity and not worth our seeking.

38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. "Stablish thy word": Cause thy word to rise and stand fast and upright in my life. Make it firm and unmovable. May it never depart. Reveal the depths and the realities of thy word to my heart by the revelation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Give strength to my whole being to obey and carry it all out to the letter. The word devoted is an added word by the translators. But it is a fit expression here and one worthy of our imitation. Being devoted or devout is a highly honorable disposition and spirit to have.

39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. "Reproach": Disgrace; humiliating language or slander. Reproaches and humiliating treatments have been hurled at the righteous and godly saints down through the ages. The children of God have had to suffer much at the hand of the wicked, and God has permitted such to be. But there is hope in the Lord, if we will keep praying and be faithful to Him, that He will turn away our reproach and uphold us in the truth by His righteous judgments.

OCTOBER 22, 2000 Psalm 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

The Lord knows where our hearts are and what we are longing after. He is weighing our spirits constantly and is fully aware of our attitudes and intentions. To those who hunger and thirst after His righteousness and seek His kingdom, He has promised to fill and satisfy. To be moved by the quickening power of the Almighty God is life's most wonderful and enjoyable experience.

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

These two verses are as one. "Let come": Welcome; I am ready. Jesus told us to pray to the Father, "Thy kingdom come." Put out the welcome mat, remove all obstruction and hindrance, open the door and give out your call. We want His mercies but are we willing to prepare the heart in humility and submissiveness to worthily receive Him? Verse 42 in the Hebrew says, "And I will answer my reprover (he who defames, who seeks to pull off my faith and hope) a word, for I trust in Thy word." The Lord allows us to suffer abuse from the wicked, and we are often at a loss to know what to say. But God can give us a word of wisdom in those times, for we rely and lean heavily upon the support of His Word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

These three verses go together, also. "Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth": The Hebrew word for "take" is to snatch or pluck. Our prayer is that we might not fail to speak the Word of God's truth in season to the weary, hungry and poor. There may be times that He would have us be silent, lest we would be casting our pearls before the swine. But may our lips never be hindered from uttering the oracles of God when He so wills it. By hearing, hoping, keeping, speaking and ever seeking the perfect law of liberty we will be blessed with victory and freedom in the Lord all the days of our life. "At liberty": In a wide and roomy place not hemmed in by restrictions of the flesh and the world.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Let us banish all shame and timidity when we are called upon to speak of the blessed testimonies of our God! Speak fervently and joyfully, and yet with fear and trembling. Blessed is the man who has found delight and a love affair with the Word of God! This kind of experience will enable us to speak without hesitancy and faltering.

The lifting up of hands denotes an allegiance and worshipful attitude toward what God has spoken to us in His Word.

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. God loves for us to wrestle with Him by pleading the promises of His Word. He will not forget His Word, but He wants us to remember His Word and constantly hold it before Him in prayer and supplication. Thus it becomes a stronger bond between our hearts and His. And this is the source of our hope and earnest expectation for present blessings and for the joys and bliss awaiting us in that world to come.

"Comfort in my affliction": Consolation in times of sorrow and adversity. We find our consolation in the promises of God's Word. The Word of God quickens us and keeps us going in times of adversity.

51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

"Greatly in derision": Vehement scorn, ridicule and contempt. The vain and proud worldly minded people of a corrupt society look down on the godly because of the way they live. And the children of God feel that contempt because they are human and have feelings. But the joy and inward contentment that we experience in living by God's Word far outweighs the pain of the scoffs of men. We are unaffected and refuse to let up in our decision to follow the precious laws of our gracious Father.

52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.

"Of old": From eternity; from the beginning and up through all the years of history.

The Lord has preserved on record the accounts of those who trusted and obeyed Him. Learning of faithful and holy saints such as Abraham and Moses and keeping in remembrance God's judgments in their behalf will bring comfort to us in our present distresses.

OCTOBER 29, 2000 Psalm 119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

"Horror": From the Hebrew this means a glow of anger and displeasure; being deeply grieved and vexed. "Forsake": To loosen hold of; relinquish; give over.

"Oh, what anguish is raised in my mind, to think of an eternity for those who are Christless, for those who are mistaken, and who bring their false hopes to the grave with them!" ãDavid Brainerd, missionary to the Indians, 1718-1747.

54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

We are but pilgrims and sojourners here in this fleeting world. Many are the burdens and sorrows that we meet and suffer. But we are cheered by the musical harmony that the cheerful messages from the Word of God bring to us. How they lift our spirits and cause us to rise above all adversity!

55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

I have found that there is a special blessing in prayer and meditation in the night seasons. The Scriptures speak of this in various places. In the stillness of the night there comes the voice of Him who never sleeps, and blessed is the man who can forgo some of his sleep and rest to be awake to that still small voice whispering comfort and guidance for his soul!

57 Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58 I entreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

"Thou art my portion, O Lord": The Hebrew expression is: "Jehovah is my portion." A portion here refers to an inheritance, allotment, part which is given or distributed. "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines (boundaries) are fallen (laid out) unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." Psa. 16:5-6. "I have said": The word "said" here does not refer to a casual or haphazard statement. Such light expression has no place when it comes to our relationship with our God. It rather means to declare, determine, avow or promise. "I entreated thy favour": I sought Thy face or countenance above all else. By keeping Thy Word I know I will inherit the mercy promised in Thy Word.

Keeping His words is our joyful offering of love in joyful gratitude for what Jehovah means to us.

59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

"I thought on my ways": I examined, pondered, evaluated, and weighed up the modes of action and course that I am taking in life. "Made haste": Hurry, being eager with excitement and with joy. "Delayed not": Did not question nor hesitate; was not slow nor reluctant; did not tarry nor put off. Oh, if only every individual would sincerely do this! There would be a lot of turning of steps and decisions to go the way of His testimonies! And they would make haste and not delay to amend their life to conform to Jehovah's commandments.

61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

"Bands": Cords and ropes; binding influences. "Robbed me": Protested and testified against me; withstood, hemmed me in. Man's laws and influence seek to put down the godly man's convictions. But their pressures need not have any effect upon our devotion to His obedience.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Gratitude for the judgments of Jehovah will cause us to come to Him often to praise and worship Him. His wise decrees and sentences are our means of escape from the destruction of Satan and this present, evil world.

63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

"Companion": Partner; fellow; close associate. The fellowship of all who are of kindred spirits and who closely follow the counsels of God's truth is a heaven-born communion of the rarest, sweetest kind!

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

God's mercy spreads abroad and covers the entire scope of humanity. It is freely given from the loving heart of the Almighty. Who would be so ungrateful and vain to presume upon this mercy with no regard to what is pleasing and acceptable in God's sight? Oh, for a heart that is teachable and submissive to the will of God!

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word.

"Thou hast dealt well": The Hebrew says, "You have done good." God's Word expresses the good will of Himself toward His creation. He wills salvation and supreme happiness and peace to us, and as we seek Him with the whole heart, we will find that He is faithful to fulfill His great goodness.

NOVEMBER 5, 2000 Psalm 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

"Good judgment": Good taste; wise and keen perception; accurate, exact and precise intelligence. "Believed": From the Hebrew word "aman" from which comes our word "Amen." It means to trust; to count as firm and faithful; to hold in confidence and esteem to be true.

Counting God's commandments to be safe, sure, and reliable enough for total obedience thereto will counsel our actions and ways to be safe and reliable, also.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. "Afflicted": To be abased, humbled, chastened and disciplined.

The disciplinary workings of the heavenly Father with His children is to temper their mind and make them more fully aware of how true and profitable are the standards and teachings of His Word.

68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

"Good": The better and the best; well pleasing; profitable; favourable; gracious.

Those who really seek to know and understand God's ways come to the blessed realization that all He does is good and works for good, even though He employs pain and adversity to bring it about.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

"Forged": To charge, frame or impute falsely. "As fat as grease": The Hebrew says: "Without feeling like fat." Fat refers to richness. Another way of putting it is: "The proud are stupefied by their riches." The consciousness of their wealth can dull their spiritual senses and deceive them.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

The Lord chooses to teach us lessons from His Word through adversity and suffering affliction. Lessons learned in the furnace of hard trials, by a meek and obedient heart, are well learned.

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

What Thou hast spoken and ordained as wise and good is more valuable, pleasant and enjoyable than all the material wealth of this vain, fleeting world.

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

"Fashioned me": The Hebrew meaning is: "made me stand, set me up erect, and established me."

We are the workmanship of God both in a physical sense and in spiritual life. We have no one else who is responsible for and worthy of credit for our well-being.

74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

What a blessing to greet the brethren who we know have lived a life above reproach in obedience to the Word of God! What a thrill runs through our being to be in their company and feel the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit flowing from heart to heart!

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

The pain and suffering that Thou didst permit me to pass through has proven to benefit my soul, and I thank Thee for being faithful to send Thy judgments as a righteous favour for my good.

76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

"I pray thee": I beg you, I beseech you. Hebrew. "For my comfort": To solace my sighing and sorrow.

What a comfort and consolation does the Word of the Lord bring to the poor and needy soul! What a treasure! How precious is the Word of our God to our hungry spirits! And think what the vain and proud of this fleeting world are missing out on!

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

"Tender mercies": The Hebrew word is very colorful. Its root meaning is to fondle, to love and to be compassionate. It is also applied to the womb (as the cherishing of the unborn child) and is also applied to a young and tender maiden. Oh, the joy and bliss to experience these kind of dealings from the loving Father in heaven! "My delight": The Word of the Lord is truly our richest enjoyment and pleasure.

78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

"Dealt perversely": Sought to overthrow and destroy by undermining and deceiving. "Without a cause": The Hebrew says "with lies."

Such who withstand the godly and seek to harm them and their influence shall reap shame and everlasting contempt.

NOVEMBER 12, 2000

Psalm 119:79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

God's people are very careful who they allow to influence them. There are so many false and unclean spirits in the world. Only the upright and godly, who walk in the law of the Lord, can truly share the holy fellowship of our communion with heaven.

80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

"Sound": Entire, blameless, whole and true in integrity.

Some people plead God's mercy to let them off of judgment for failures and shortcomings that they could conquer and subdue if they would press and humble their hearts. To be sound and unwavering in our faith and obedience to God assures us of His faithfulness to give us total victory.

81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

"My soul": My life and mortal strength is being consumed and languishes in sorrow. "Fainteth": Is at an end; ceases; perishes.

No man can truly obtain the salvation of his soul unless he is made aware of his desperate and perishing need. It takes a violent press and determined effort to enter the kingdom of heaven, such that is spurred by the sense of one's danger of eternal ruin. In the depths of this soul agony and "slough of despond" it is the eternal Word of God that is the star of hope for the fainting soul.

82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

"Fail": The same as "fainteth" in verse 81.

Just as the soul is heavily laden with the sense of perishing and sore need in search of salvation, so the child of God is often brought into trials and great distresses. These we bring to our Father in heaven who wisely withholds and permits us to linger in these straits of adversity for a season if He sees that it will have a wholesome effect upon our spirit and attitude. Note: Adversity and suffering always benefits the soul of the man who takes it patiently and meekly.

83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

"In the Eastern countries their bottles were made of skins; one of these hung in the smoke must soon be parched and shrivelled up. This represents the exhausted state of body and mind by long bodily affliction and mental distress." ãClarke. Let us be strong in spirit and faith in these times of distress to keep in mind what the Lord has spoken to us in His Word.

84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

"How many": Or, As what? God looks at time from a different perspective than we. He is in no hurry, for He weighs our attitudes and spirit before Him. A longer delay that will refine the spirit and make it more humble and mellow before Him is to His pleasure, while to us it is longer trouble. "How many!" "How long!" "When!" These are the exclamatory questions that taunt and trouble our minds. "Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Heb. 10:36.

85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

The proud and carnal minded have devised snares and traps to trip me and frustrate my faith, but they are useless and in vain because they are not in accord with Thy law.

86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

"Faithful": Truth, stable, steadfast and unmoveable. "Wrongfully": With lying and dishonesty. Christ knew that He had the truth of God on His side. For this cause He was not afraid of the Jewish tribunal and the false witnesses that stood up against Him. "Truth crushed to earth will rise again, the eternal years of God are hers; But Error wounded, writhes in pain, and dies among her worshippers." ãLowell.

87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88 Quicken me after thy loving kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

Oh, can we not see the Lord Jesus in all of this? "In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth." Acts. 8:33. Christ submitted Himself to the death of the cross in accordance with the prophecies that went before Him. He held on to His Father's law and was quickened by His loving kindness to live and generate righteousness and grace for us to live and please God.

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

"Settled": The Hebrew says, "stationed." Other words relating are: established, appointed and set up. No man or group of men can alter, change, diminish, add to, or do anything else that will move the unchanging Word from its position of power. As His Word, so is God's faithfulness and trustworthiness. All mankind has the privilege to experience the faithfulness of our God. The earth was founded by the Word of God, hung upon nothing but His almighty decree, and there it remains until that same almighty decree will speak it away in the last day. "Ordinances": The same as judgments. "Thy servants": All nature that God created and set in motion continue in their faithful servitude to God's decrees except for man who, as a free moral agent, has chosen to please self rather than God.

NOVEMBER 19, 2000 Psalm 119:92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

The Hebrew says, "Unless Your law was my delight, then I had perished in my grief." Because God's law is such a delightful treasure and a joy to the true and faithful, no grief nor bitterness can dislodge us from our faith and integrity with Him.

93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

The life in my soul and the preciousness of communion with Thee, O Lord, is so rich and dear to my heart that I will cleave to it and continue to call upon Thy name as long as I live. (Psa. 116:2.)

94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

"Sought": To tread or frequent; to follow pursuing and searching; to seek or ask.

The Lord has pledged Himself in His Word to defend the helpless who are standing on His promises and fully trusting in Him. He may allow us to be sorely tried, but this He does for our welfare and happiness. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn." Isa. 54:17.

96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

"End of all perfection": Regardless of how capable and skilled man can be, he has an extremity and a limit. "Exceeding broad": The measurements of God's power and accomplishment of His commandments exceeds man's powers by far. Note: The uttermost of man's ability and perfection is as nothing compared to the vastness and scope of the laws and standards of God's perfect law.

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

This is an exclamation, an earnest and fervent expression filled with rapturous excitement along with tender affection. In Christ Jesus and the New Covenant that He brought into effect, the laws of God are written upon the tender impressionable tables of our hearts and affections. Note: We will have far greater success in obeying and living up to the laws of God if they are inscribed "within," in our minds and hearts.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

"Ever with me": Forever, never failing, for eternity to me, connected to me, mine. It is not the enemies that are ever with us, but His commandments. Through His laws being written within our hearts we have a glorious means of triumph over the temporary resistance and adversity of this present life. Our adversaries and antagonistic opponents are against us because of their darkness and ignorance concerning the mind and will of God.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

"Teachers": Those learned and accounted wise, but who often are in the dark, unenlightened by the Word and the Spirit of God. After looking for their missing Son for three days Mary and Joseph "found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." Luke 2:46-47.

100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. "Ancients": The elderly; the aged. One in Job 32:6-9 said, "I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment." Nevertheless we must still remember the precept in Lev. 19:32, "Thou shalt rise up (show respect) before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord." If we do surpass the wisdom of someone older it will be because we are obedient while they are failing to keep the precepts of God.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

We cannot obey the Word of the Lord while we are continually partaking of sinful manners and associations. "Evil communications (associations) corrupt good manners." I Cor. 15:33.

102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. Jesus said in John 6:45, "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." He was quoting from Isa. 54:13, a prophecy of Zion, the true Church of God. To be disciplined and taught of God through the Spirit is the Christian's greatest and most joyful experience. The lessons and truths gained through personal revelation from the Lord are not readily or easily departed from.

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

"More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Psa. 19:10. Oh, for the realities of spiritual taste and discernment! How the senses of the spirit need to be awakened and satisfied by contact with God through His Holy Spirit and the light of His precious Word!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

"Every false way": All untruth, deceitfulness, lying and wrong. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 16:25. Just as there is a false way, there is also the true way, the way of God's Word.

NOVEMBER 26, 2000

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. "Lamp unto my feet": A lamp here refers to a bright and burning light. Our feet denote our decisions and moves that we make in this life. The Word is a bright light to guide our footsteps in these moves we make on our mortal journey. The Word enlightens our minds to give us understanding that we might say and do as would be right, proper and wise. "A light unto my path": The Word of God brightens up our way, not only that we may see better, but also that we might be a source of cheer and a blessing to others. Without the Word of our God to enlighten our minds to give us

understanding we would be trying to feel our way in ignorance and error. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

"Sworn": In the Hebrew to swear means to "seven one's self," that is, to completely declare, affirm, pledge, promise or vow. It is as if repeating a vow, promise or declaration seven times. "Perform it": To rise up to make sure the fulfillment of our oath. Now Jesus instructs us in Matt. 5:34-37, and James 5:12 repeats it, that we should not swear at all, but let our yea be yea, and our nay be nay. In other words, we can vow and promise, but we need not swear. We must make sure that what we promise we will fulfill. So we can, instead of swearing to keep God's righteous judgments, vow and promise with our whole heart that we will obey His Word by His help and grace, and do everything necessary to see that we do it. It is a worthy and vital promise for us to make to the Lord.

107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy Word.

"Afflicted very much": Depressed and beat down vehemently. This describes a very serious and weighty trial of adversity. It is no small matter. It is an especially hard and difficult situation, serious and very adverse.

There will be times in our journey of life when we will be as the apostle Paul described it: "pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life." II Cor. 1:8. Only by the strengthening power of the living Christ can His saints triumphantly endure.

108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.

The Hebrew renders this: "Please accept my mouth's free offering, O Jehovah, and teach me your judgments." These freewill offerings are the spontaneous utterances of the mouth in praise and honour unto Thee. Spontaneous means that it originates from one's own personal heartfelt thoughts and desires. In accord with our prayer for God to accept our praise is the desire of our hearts for Him to teach us His judgments. Many are willing to offer verbal praise to God, but when it comes to learning His judgments that is another thing. But they both must go hand in hand if we want to please the Lord.

109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. We are all free moral agents. We have a will. It is up to us as to what we are to do with what God gives us. My eternal existence, my life's principle, the most precious thing I possess, is constantly and always under my jurisdiction, my power and according to what I will do with it. I can give up all efforts to please God and go to the pleasures of the flesh and the world, or I can continue to suffer and endure the afflictions that attend a godly life. It is in my decision. But I am purposed not to forget God's gracious law and I will always keep it and seek His favor and blessings above all else.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

The ungodly have sought to trip up the righteous and bring them to frustration and confusion. So sought they to do with our Saviour many times, asking Him slanted questions to try to catch Him and get Him to say something contradictory to what He had said before. But God can keep us in those trying times and we do not have to err from His blessed truth.

111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

The number one possession and treasure of my heart is the wonderful truth of God's love and goodness as revealed in His precious Word. I will believe it, obey it, cling to it and uphold it in my daily life for as long as I live in this world until I am taken away in death.

112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

"Inclined": I have bent and bowed my heart, disciplined and coached my desires to obey and execute Thy laws always to the end of my life. 113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

"Vain thoughts": The word "vain" is an added word by the translators. The Hebrew word here is "divided." To be divided and not wholly out for God and given to please Him is a condition that stinks in His nostrils. He hates uncertainty and indecision. He loves the sinner and Jesus the Saviour died in his behalf, but He still abhors the spirit of carelessness and indifference.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. The security that many find in material wealth and the friendship of this present world is not what I want. I want the Lord to be my protector and under His wings I will trust. (Psalm 91:1-4.) We all need that hiding place, that covert and protection in a secret place with the Lord and for Him to be our defense and protector. We rely upon God's promise to never leave us nor forsake us.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God

"Evildoers": This is referring to people who have been spoiled by the spirit of this present, evil world and are good for nothing. We will not partake of their spirit. It means so much for us to take a stand for God and forsake worldly companions to take up our cross to follow the Lord.

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

"Uphold": While we lean upon the Lord and walk by faith in His promises we need to be supported by His Holy Spirit. This He has promised to do. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10. O Lord, help us not to look at people and their fear or favor! He who would serve God must disregard the anger and displeasure of the crowd. We are saved by hope, (Romans 8:24) and it is a hope that the proud and worldly minded do not have. So it is folly to allow their ridicule to affect our steadfastness in the hope of Christ.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

It means much to know what real safety is. There is a safety that the unregenerated are constantly seeking for. It is financial and carnal security. But in Christ we get much, much more. It is a safety of the heart in the faith of Jesus that God is watching over us and will faithfully care for us. This assurance of divine protection will cause us to respect God's statutes that much more.

DECEMBER 3, 2000 Psalm 119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

Only that which is according to the truth of God will prevail and endure forever. Everything else is falsehood and will not endure the destruction of the world. Those who hide under falsehood and make lies their refuge will find their shelter ripped apart to nothing in that last great day.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

"Puttest away": To cause to cease, to make to fail, to get rid of, or to take away. "Dross": This is the part of the ore that is separated in smelting from the real, true metal. The part of any product that is waste is to be refused or rejected. The reason for God's refusing and rejecting the wicked is because of their neglect or refusal to submit to His precepts. They have a chance to obey the precious Word and refuse to do so. Thus they are dross to be disposed of and cast into outer darkness in the last great judgment. "Therefore": For this reason; on account of this. Seeing that God's testimonies show the way of life that will cause us to triumph over the destruction of the wicked, we should ardently devote ourselves to obeying them fully.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. It is wise for us to not only love God's testimonies, but to also fear and tremble before Him regarding His judgments. "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." Psa. 2:11. Along with our sublime trust and confidence in His love and goodness, we should also keep in mind the terror of the Lord and be afraid to do anything contrary to His holy law. "What we read and hear of the judgments of God upon wicked people should make us to reverence His terrible majesty, and to stand in awe of Him, and to fear lest we offend Him, and be liable to punishment of His wrath." ãMatthew Henry. "True religion consists in a proper mixture of the fear of God, and of hope in His mercy; and wherever either of these is entirely wanting, there can be no true religion."

ãEdward Payson

121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

It means so much for us to be able to truthfully say this in the presence of the all-knowing God! Have we applied the counsel of the wise judgments of the Word of God properly to every issue in our lives? Psalm 103:6 says, "The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." We know that the Lord does this, but are our lives and actions consistent with Him? Toward our fellow man, toward our bosom companion, and toward our children we must execute fairness, mercy, wise counsel, and, above all, the doctrines and judgments of His precious Word. How can we expect God to help us in times of our distress and oppression if we have not earnestly endeavored to follow the counsels of His Word? While we yearn for freedom from oppression, are we guilty of heaping harsh and rigorous burdens upon others by being unreasonable, unforgiving and unkind?

"Be surety for good": To give security, relief, deliverance and recompense for what is best and to the glory of God. This is in line with the poor widow's plea to the unjust judge in Luke 18:3, "Avenge me of mine adversary!" The judge granted relief just to get rid of the widow. But Jesus said in verse 7, "And shall not God avenge his own elect (His chosen and beloved ones), which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?" Christ has become surety for us of a better testament. (Hebrews 7:22.) He has delivered us from the oppression of Satan and the guilt of sin and the law. His divine testament and will has secured for us an escape from condemnation and eternal woe.

123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness

"Mine eyes fail": This means that all visible evidence of deliverance and answer to prayer has faded. So it was with Paul and those on the storm tossed ship: "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away." Acts 27:20. We like to see some visible development that shines a ray of hope for our deliverance from problems, burdens or distressful situations. So God wisely chooses to take these supports away. But in these times we are to not give up and go down in despair. No! We are to keep believing beyond what appears. The salvation of the Lord will come and the word of His righteousness shall prevail for our deliverance. Let us not look for visible means of escape, but, as Moses, "endure, as seeing Him who is invisible." (Heb. 11:27.)

124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

"Deal": Work, do, fulfill, accomplish and bring to pass. "Teach": The Hebrew meaning here is to goad, prick, spur, which are terms of discipline. The greatest lessons most impressively learned come through severity and suffering. As we pray for God to work and bring about benefits and blessings of mercy let us be prepared to endure the discipline that will precede and accompany them. Mercy and discipline go hand in hand. Where discipline is not received, neither is mercy given. We have the law of God and His statutes before us. But we need the workings of the Almighty by His Holy Spirit in our hearts to enlighten our minds and reveal His truth to our inner man.

125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

"Servant": One who serves, obeys, seeks to please, is bound to, renders toil or work for the benefit of his superior. To be a true servant of God, one who serves joyfully the most High, is life's greatest glory and blessedness. "Understanding": To be able to separate or distinguish and clearly see each individual part of life's functions and responsibilities, and to perform such in due order together in harmony and cooperation. Oh, the trouble that comes when we fail to clearly see what God wills us to understand! It is only by having this blessing from the Lord of understanding that we can really know and experience the truth of His testimonies.

126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law. Take away the added words and we have: "Time for, Lord, to work." Matthew Henry observes, "Some read it, and the original will bear it, 'It is time to work for Thee, O Lord.' It is time for every one in his place to appear on the Lord's side, against the threatening growth of profaneness and immorality." "Made void": In the Heberew this means to break or transgress. Surely we need God to work, and we need to be ready to work with Him. I am so impressed with the expression in Psalm 90:16-17. "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." Jesus said in John 5:17, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." We are to be laborers together with God, (I Cor. 3:9), for "except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Psa. 127:1. Oh, to be in our work and our work to be hand in hand with our Lord! Then we will see much done and the glory will be the Lord's and will be manifest to our children and to those who are seeking it.

127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Because of what he said in the former verse, that is, the sad condition that develops when society casts off restraint and ceases to conform to the commandments of God, the Psalmist attaches himself with fervent love and respect to the precepts and doctrines of what God had spoken. He finds a comparison of great worth and value in gold to express his esteem for the commandments of the Lord. The fine gold is that which is pure gold, being smelted and refined, purified from all dross. Gold has endured through the ages as a commodity of great value. Man's search and craving for gold are pictured in the great gold rushes of history. But he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver. (Eccl. 5:10.) Literal wealth will not satisfy the craving of the inner man. When a person wakes up to the vanity of this life and all of its riches and sees what the true riches are in God's Word and His Holy Spirit, how much happier his life can be! The Word of God is the real gold mine for which we should make a rush.

128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way.

The Hebrew says, "Therefore all the precepts wholly I count right; every false way I have hated."

"Every command, however hard; every judgment, however distasteful; every precept, however severe; even cut off thy right hand, pluck out thy right eye; forget thine own people and thy father's house; take up thy cross daily; sell all that thou hastãyea, Lord, even so, all thy precepts concerning ALL things are right." ãBarion Bouchier. Viewing the character of a man who rejects the Word of God is enough proof of his folly and error. And everything that does not agree or coincide with God's precepts is false and to be denied, shunned and rejected.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. "Testimonies": These are the things that God has spoken in witness of His love, power, goodness and grace. These are promises, declarations, affirmations and statements testifying as to God's qualifications, abilities and character as well as the value of the fruits of His mighty works and service. "Wonderful": Marvellous, miraculous, high, unusual, great, spectacular, valuable, enjoyable, helpful, beneficial, distinguished, outstanding, above and beyond all else, completely satisfying, wholesome, delightful and remarkable. Because Thy precepts are thus, my very life and breath holds them fast and I am determined to cherish them all of my mortal days.

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

"Entrance of thy words": The opening of the heart and the disclosure and revelation of the Word to the understanding. "The spiritual opening of its true sense by divine illumination, to the mind which naturally cannot discern it." ãJoseph Addison Alexander. The Lord opens or enlightens the eyes of the inner man who seeks to understand with all the heart. The careless and proud disinterested soul He blinds and hides the truth from. Just as the light of objects in view shines through the aperture of a camera or through the pupil of the eye to make impressions on the sensitive film or retina, so the Word of God, through the enlightment of the Holy Spirit, shines into an open mind and inner eye to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 4:6.) The open, honest and eager child of God is yearning for light and knowledge from the Lord through His precious Word. While he or she is meditating on the Word and pondering it over, a sweet ray of knowledge and understanding shines through. Oh, what a blessed experience this is!

DECEMBER 10, 2000 Psalm 119:131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

"Pant": To draw in eagerly; to hasten with ardent desire. Once a person experiences the joy and blessing of the Word of God shining in light and understanding to their heart, he or she is eager for more, and it sets up a chain reaction of more hunger and desire for more knowledge and light. William Cowper, author of, "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood" expresses it like this: "My heart burns with so ardent a longing for Thy commandments, that I am forced ever and anon to gasp by reason of my painful breathing." Who is it who will allow such a hunger and thirst to rule him and not be satisfied with the vanities of this world but will seek earnestly the spiritual food in the Word of God?

132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

The Hebrew says here, "Turn to Me and favor Me, as is the manner to those who love Your name." Our Heavenly Father truly is gracious and favorable to those who sincerely and earnestly love His name. Jesus taught us to address the Father thus: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." Matthew 6:9. Hallowed means to be sacred, holy, reverenced, and to be looked upon with deep feelings of love, respect and honour. Psalm 138:2 says, "For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." To profess to love God's name and fail to conform to His Word is to take His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7.) "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

"Order": To fix or establish, set up, prepare, render sure or prosper. "Steps": Moves, uses, application, dealings, handling, perception, response or attitude. Guide my perception and comprehension of what is the true message of Thy Word, and may it be fixed and prosper in the thing whereunto Thou dost send it. (See Isaiah 55:11.) "Let not any iniquity": "Do not let any evil rule over me." Hebrew. Iniquity and evil have a ruling and dominating power. The pressures of Satan and sin against the soul of man is strong in our society. We must employ strict attention and obedience to what God has spoken in His Word and be enlightened as to its true meaning to escape the snares of deception. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. The fear of man brings a snare. (Prov. 29:25.) Jesus instructed us in Luke 12:4, "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." As long as we are under the fear and oppression of our fellow mortals we will not have the courage to stick to the Word of God. All flesh is as grass soon to be cut down. "Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass?" Isaiah 51:12.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Let me be favored with the grace of Thy countenance of comfort, uplift, help and cheer; and in the light of Thy countenance enlighten my soul with knowledge and wisdom that is contained in Thy Word. "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance." Psalm 89:15. No sin or transgression of God's Word can stand in His holy presence. "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity." Hab. 1:13. For one to expect the face of Jehovah to shine upon him, there must be the precious blood of Christ applied to atone and wash the heart clean from sin and have a willingness to be taught and instructed in the way of righteousness. "Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed." Psa. 84:9.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. We weep at the erring ways of the ungodly, for we yearn for them to enjoy what we are enjoying, and we know what the end of such shall be. Think of the poor, blinded souls groping in the worldly way of darkness seeking for rest and finding none. "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" I Peter 4:18. It is so easy for many to live to the flesh and conform to the current of society around them, but the end of those things is death. It will be terrible to be cast out into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenced! Let us keep a hatred and an abhorance for sin so that we will deeply mourn in spirit to see it manifested in others.

137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. The Hebrew says, "You are just, O Jehovah, and straight and equal are Your judgments." That which comes from a righteous God is itself righteous. "The Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." Psa. 92:15. "God,...cannot lie,..." Titus 1:2. Anything that is righteous and upright is also safe and worthy of our trust and confidence. "Let God be true, but every man a liar." Rom. 3:4.

138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

The Hebrew says, "You have enjoined righteousness of Your testimonies and faithfulness exceedingly." This means that God has constituted, set and established His testimonies fully and without fail to be righteous and exceedingly faithful and true. "Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." Isa. 25:1. The Hebrew says, "Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."

This should help assure us that we can never go wrong trusting in the promises of God. The heavens are held in place by His command, and He would rather see the heavens fall than to fail to fulfill His promises to His faithful saints.

139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

The ardent desire for His holy cause and the promotion of His holiness and salvation have brought many precious saints to an early grave. There have been those worthy souls who have labored so faithfully and strenuously for the gospel and wore out their lives prematurely. One old saint had a saying, "I would rather wear out than rust out." The sight of the money-changers and covetous practices in the temple stirred a young Galilean prophet one day to get a whip of cords and undertake to drive them out, saying, "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." He "drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." John 2:13-17. (Psa. 69:9.) There will be times when our zeal is stirred and the Spirit of the Lord will move us to action.

140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

"Very": In the Hebrew this word means vehemently, fervently, passionately, intensely. "Pure": Refined, not defiled or contaminated, safe and beneficial for application and use. Psa. 12:6 says, "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." As one can drink pure water that has been thoroughly tested and declared by the right authority to be safe, so we can be assured that the Word which proceeds from the mouth of God has been tested and proven to be right and safe for us to love, remember and obey. When we experience the uplifting, nourishing, comforting, strengthening, enlightening and instructing influence of the Word of God to our hearts and minds, our reaction is just as it here expresses. We love and cherish the precious Word of our Heavenly Father.

141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. "Small": Little, insignificant, without importance or fame. "Despised": Lightly esteemed or looked down on, scorned, ridiculed. The meek and lowly saint of God who loves and lives by the precious precepts of the Lord does not rise very high in the estimation of those who think in a humanistic way. "Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools." Eccl. 9:16-17. But this lack of praise and recognition means nothing to the man who looks only to his God and loves His precepts. He is not thirsting for the deceitful and treacherous praise of light-minded mortals who can see no farther than their own ignorant fancies. He loves the praise of God more than the praise of men. (John 12:43.)

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

"Righteousness": That which is straight, right, true, accurate, safe to use, just, correct and good. "Everlasting": That which will endure forever, never to change, diminish or pass away. This is God's righteousness, not ours. It is the righteousness that we receive by believing God's Word and promises, the righteousness of faith, that God established in Abraham and fulfilled in His Son, Jesus Christ. "Truth": That which is certain, unerring, trustworthy, right, sure and free from falsehood. It is interesting to note that the words "truth, faith, faithfulness, believing, sure and stedfast, are so often the translation from the Hebrew word "aman," from which we have our English expression "Amen." This word is an important word. Its meaning, according to Strong's Hebrew Dictionary is "to build up or support; to foster (as a parent or nurse); to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; to be true or certain." We have the very means of obtaining true happiness and security for our lives, but so many overlook the real source of truth. "For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth". II Cor. 13:8.

143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

"Trouble and anguish": Both of these terms in the Hebrew indicate a narrow, tight place of confinement and disability. It is opposition, pressure, hemming in circumstances and distress. Such comes to everyone in this world, even to the godly and upright in heart. But it is in these close times of groaning and travail, when the way is narrow and difficult, that the Word of God comes to our greatest advantage and profit. In the depths of these afflictions we can find veins of rarest gold in the sacred writings of the Scriptures. Thus the commandments of God are our delight for they show us what the course is that God wants us to take and erases doubt and fear from our minds.

DECEMBER 17, 2000 Psalm 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

Here is another expression of God's everlasting righteousness. What God has spoken and declared to us of His goodness, and power to save and keep is true and without failure. But without proper understanding in the heart and mind of a man, these holy witnesses of God can be warped and misconstrued. This is the work of Satan and he is highly successful in doing it to so many. It is no wonder that this term "understanding" is mentioned and stressed so much in the Scriptures, especially and most numerously in the book of Proverbs, where it is mentioned about 66 times. Satan seeks to blind the mind lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ be understood properly and clearly. We should be aware of our need of this important blessing and seek earnestly for it every day. Leaning not to our own understanding, we need to seek God that the eyes of our understanding would be enlightened that we might know what is the hope of His calling and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. (Eph. 1:18.)

145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes "Cried": To lift up one's voice and call upon before being called upon. This indicates a great and sore need, which God so often allows His children to be in. We have the privilege of calling upon the name of the Lord at any time day or night. And we have assurance that He will hear and answer our cries. But along with this calling upon the Lord we must have a purpose and decision to submit to and obey all of His statutes and laws. Too many get religious and call upon the Lord for help in trouble only to fall back into their former rut when everything quiets down and gets easy. It means much to come to the Lord and receive His deliverance, determining to follow His Word and faithfully doing so.

146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonines. A person who is drowning, or caught in a flaming house or car, or in any other desperate situation is not ashamed to lift up their voice for help. The cries of the children of Israel in Egypt "came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning." Ex. 2:23-24. "Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?" Luke 18:7. We need to keep crying and praying earnestly to God for our needs and the needs of others. God heard the cries of His people in bondage, and although He let them suffer long, at last He sent them a deliverer. But on the other hand, what are we going to do when the Lord answers our cries and takes away the burdens? Will we be faithful to keep His wondrous testimonies and continue to trust, honour and obey Him? Sad to say, there have been many who have not done this.

147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

The Hebrew says, "I go before the dawning of the day and cry: in Your word I hope." The burden of agony and prayer rests very heavily upon the needy soul whose only hope is the Lord. Ere the eastern sky begins to glow with the rays of the rising sun, the heart is prostrate before the Lord, crying and weeping at the throne of grace. This exercise of prayer and calling upon our God is acclaimed by the Word as precious and sweet odors as from golden vials. God loves to hear His children weep and cry unto Him. How often in prayer are the precious promises of His Word repeated and held up before Him! The vows spoken by the Almighty God, with regard to His children's welfare, help to assure our hearts of His loving and faithful rewards.

Then let us ever humbly watch and pray,

Seek oft in tears the Saviour's lovely face:

Come boldly with thy needs for ev'ry day,

Blest mercy's waiting at the throne of grace.

ãClara M. Brooks

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

"Prevent": To precede or go before. I am awake before the hour of the night watch for I am so desirous to use that time in meditation of what Thou hast spoken in Thy Word. It really means much for us to take time to read, study and meditate on the truths of the testimonies of His Word. Here is where many poor souls come short. It is so easy to become slothful and careless in our devotions to God and His Word. We cannot prosper in the Lord unless we sacrifice our own comforts and desires with preference to His spiritual blessings. We have to press to take time for prayer and His precious Word. "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:12.

Let us consider again the benefit of meditation on the Word of God. To meditate means to ponder, reflect and to converse with one's self. We need to get acquainted with what is contained in the Holy Scriptures, and think deeply about it with a prayer that the Holy Spirit will reveal the hidden truths therein to our understanding.

149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.

The Hebrew says, "Hear my voice by Your mercy, O Jehovah; by Your judgment give me life." He did not say, "Hear me by Your judgment, and quicken me by Your mercy." It is by His loving and tender mercies that He will bend down and give a listening ear to our cries. But it takes the powerful grace of His mighty judgments to effect the deliverance of the soul from sin and death.

150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. "Mischief": Wicked plans and devices conceived in pride and selfish desires. The pursuers of mischief draw near (approach, come forth, gather around, exert their pressure and influence). They are far from Thy law (way off base, way out of line, and missing the mark). The love of power, the lust of gain, and the alluring yet deceitful thrills of the flesh will work in the debased minds of carnal men to oppose the way of holiness. They withstand the purity of the Word of God in preference to that which pleases self. Despite their profession of godliness and big talk, they are far from the Kingdom of God.

151 Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth. "Near": Close, within calling distance and reach, ready to help, warm and friendly, not distant or unconcerned. While the opposition powers approach we know that our God is even nearer, even in our hearts. And we know that His precious commandments that we so conscientiously follow are the way of truth, the way everlasting. His commandments are sound, steadfast forever, and as we walk in obedience to their holy standard, we are safe from the deceitful influences of the ungodly.

152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

The testimonies of God are the expressions of His loving and gracious heart and mind that existed from eternity. They came from eternity and will still be in force and blessing when time is no more and the eternal ages burst in view to us. He planned and designed the salvation of our souls in His Son, Jesus Christ, and structured it to be enduring forever. He founded, He set, He established, He appointed, and He ordained these His wonderful testimonies. They were good in His holy wisdom and they are still good today. And they will still be standing firm as ever in that blessed world to come.

153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Seven times in this 119th Psalm does the writer affirm that He does not forget God's law. This is a very important point to be up on. Man has a tendency to forget and drift from one thing to another. The downward pull toward the flesh and the things of earth has a way of dimming the memory. Attentiveness and earnest seeking of God is a key in keeping things in memory. To be a success at anything one must keep working and practicing it daily. Do we want the Lord to consider our afflictions and needs and deliver us? Then let us not be neglectful of His precious laws. May we allow His Holy Spirit to inscribe them on the tender tables of our hearts and remain there forever.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. "Plead my cause": The Hebrew says, "Grapple, hold controversy, and contend for my contest and controversy." "Deliver": The word here is "redeem," and refers to "being next of kin," as such to buy back a relative's property and marry his widow. We have a Redeemer, One next of kin, who will plead our cause, buy us back and make us His forever. This blessed deliverer is our Lord, Jesus Christ. He will save us from eternal destruction. His Word and gospel quickens us to a resurrection of the soul to be able to live triumphant over sin and its dominion. He ever lives to interceed for us. (Heb. 7:25.)He has entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. (Heb. 9:24.) Praise our God for His invitation to come to the throne of grace!

155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. People are as far from God as they are far from His Word. It is written in Isaiah 54:13 concerning the Church of God: "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Jesus, quoting from this in John 6:45, said, "Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." How do people learn of the Father? It is through seeking and hearing His statutes. The attention and respect we give to what proceeds out of the mouth of God builds up our knowledge and understanding of His way and helps to bring us to Christ. If we turn a deaf ear to His truth and allow ourselves to drift into conformity with this present evil world, then of a truth salvation is far from us. 156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord; quicken me according to thy judgments.

The mercies of the Lord are tender, gentle, compassionate and as the Hebrew word meaning implies, likened unto the feeling of a young mother to the child she is carrying in her womb. Oh, the depth of the bowels of compassion that God has for those who are sincerely seeking to please Him! But these same tender mercies are GREAT! They are abundant, powerful, and filled with strength far surpassing every obstacle and need that we might have. In conjunction with His equally mighty and life-giving laws, statutes and judgments, the soul is quickened and revived to be able to live and do the perfect will of God. This quickening the Psalmist mentions eleven times in this 119th Psalm. We hear the writer in Hebrews 4:12 declare that "the word of God is quick, and powerful." This means that it is life-giving and will bring about a resurrection in the soul to spiritual life with God. "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." Eph. 2:1. When a person opens his heart to the Word preached by the gospel, the Holy Spirit will work to warm, soften, inspire and enlighten that soul to take hold of the Word by faith, and the effect of that is a quickening and a new creature in Christ Jesus.

DECEMBER 24, 2000 Psalm 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about." Psa. 3:6. God's people have suffered through the ages from hostile foes and opponents of righteousness and godly fear. When you set yourself to love, worship and obey God all the way, you must brace yourself for the attack. It will come. God never promised it to be easy. Set yourself to be withstood and opposed. Do not compromise nor decline from the convictions God has given you from His Word. You will be contested and criticized and talked about. It will put every thread of faith you have in you to the test. But let nothing move you. Paul was going bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem, knowing that in every city he would pass through bonds, and afflictions were awaiting him. But listen to what he said: "None of these things move me!" Acts 20:24.

158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

There are transgressors of the Word of God all around us in this corrupt society. Lord, help us to not get accustomed and comfortable with this. Let our grief be deeply felt in our hearts, spurring us to prayer and weeping for their woeful plight. Look upon them with pity, compassion and mercy, but look upon their sin with abhorrence. It might be discouraging to try to help them, but let us pray for open doors. God knows how to bring people to Him. We can do nothing of ourselves, but as we pray and hold fast to His Word, God can help and bless our efforts to influence the souls of men. I had a neighbor a few years ago that had a brain tumor and spent much time in the hospital. One Easter morning I was up early in prayer and the Lord began to bless my soul with thoughts and truths on Christ's resurrection. As I wept for joy and poured out my heart in gratitude to God, the Spirit of the Lord said, "Take this up to Mr. Cink in the hospital!" Oh, how joyfully I obeyed the voice of the Lord! I went up and shared with him what the Lord had given me. How he welcomed it and appreciated it! He never made an open confession to me, but I knew that I had done the will of God. The Lord can direct us in our dealings with those who live in open violation of His Word. 159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.

"To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isa. 66:2. "His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Psa. 1:2. God does see and take loving notice of the heart that is inclining toward His testimonies. Jesus said in John 14:23, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Yes, the Lord loved us before we loved Him, but when we respond to His precious Word and the gospel of His Son, then He loves us back with greater love and blessings, and His lovingkindness will fill our souls with quickening power. I remember a service to which I had driven nearly 150 miles to be in and I went into that service so weary and worn I did not know how I could make it. But I prayed earnestly. I was so tempted to go out. But I purposed to stay and hear the precious Word. I tell you the Lord came down in mighty power and blessed the minister and refreshed and quickened my soul until I felt like a new man! The Lord sees our love for His precepts and He will not fail to renew our strength as we wait on Him. (Isa. 40:31.)

160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

The Hebrew says, "The beginning of Your word is true and every one of Your righteous judgments is for ever." "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This is from the same word as "the beginning of Thy word" in our scripture here. It is also translated in other places as chief, first, forefront, head, highest part, lead, principal, ruler, and even as the sum. The very essence and contents of the spoken words of the Almighty is backed by the benevolent and wise Spirit that dwells in Him. Oh, how precious is His Word! Can we not see what inspired this wonderful Psalm? His almighty Word, His faithful Word, His gracious and beneficial Word! It is true and is no lie. It is real and is no imagination! How we need to love it and follow it faithfully and cling to it all of our earthly lives. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." I Peter 1:23-25.

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

"Standeth in awe of thy word": The Hebrew says, "At your word my heart has feared." "Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." Isa. 8:12-13. Men hated Jesus without a cause. (John 15:25.) They had no just or real reason for their rejection of Him. It was their own foolish and selfish notions and pride that caused them to draw back from accepting Him. It was not right for the chosen of God to be thus treated, but it is the pattern of man's folly nonetheless. They treated the Prince of Life that way and we need not be surprised if it comes to us.

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. "Spoil": Goods taken from the enemy or any valuable prize or gain.

163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

"Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity." Psa. 62:9. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." Rev. 22:14-15. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." II Thess. 2:11-12. If we do not receive a love for the truth of God's Word there is a deception of the devil ready to take up its abode in our hearts, and we will believe a doctrine that will be false and far from the truth.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

When God answers the prayers and cries of a needy soul who is abused by men or devils and victory and deliverance comes, it is because of the Lord's righteous judgments. His judgments set the captives free and delivers the oppressed. "For judgment I am come into this world," said Jesus in John 9:39. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John 12:31. "True and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication." Rev. 19:2. The judgments of God were executed in Christ against the power of Satan and sin. For this cause we are set free from the bondage of sin and can serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life". (Luke 1:74-75.)

165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

"Nothing shall offend them": The Hebrew says, "And for them there is not an obstacle." In those who love God's Word there is no occasion to fall or stumble. They do not take offence at the Word. No matter how strict and close cutting comes the two-edged sword of the Spirit there is no push off or draw back. Christ is either a precious cornerstone or a stone of stumbling and rock of offence. (Isa. 8:14.) He is either the head stone of the corner or He is a stone refused. This all depends upon whether we love His Word or not. If we love His Word we will not take offence at it in any matter.

166 Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. "Done": Accomplished, obeyed, conformed to and met every requirement. This is not a case of good works or the works of the Law. It is rather simple obedience to God. "As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Rom. 5:19. Christ obeyed the Father in giving His life for us. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Heb. 5:8-9. Although we are not saved by obeying the law, yet we must be obedient unto Christ who obeyed the Law of His Father to save us.

DECEMBER 31, 2000 Psalm 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

We keep the testimonies of our gracious King in our hearts and ponder over them. We cherish and hallow them to earnest love and endearment. We love what God has said to us and what is recorded in His holy writings. The sayings, the stories, the message that they bring to us we guard and fondle in our memory and esteem. In us keeping and watchfully holding His testimonies in our hearts' sacred chambers we joyfully find that they are keeping us! Having them in our heart's cherished memory how often have they come to us in times of temptation and the accusations of the devil! Yes, we love His wonderful testimonies and hold them sacred in our hearts forever!

168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings." Prov. 5:21. He sees what is behind the curtain and what goes on when no one else is looking. We might be able to fool some of the people all the time and maybe we can fool all the people some of the time, but we fool God none of the time. We want Him to be pleased with our lives, for we do not want to grieve or vex His sweet Holy Spirit.

169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.

Proverbs 2:3-5 says, "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." To understand the true message revealed in God's Word is worth all the crying and praying and pleading with the Lord. Ah, He puts us off to test our desire and purpose, but when He beholds our yearning heart for His spiritual blessings and the sacrifice we make of our own carnal pleasures, He will come through with light and understanding of His precious Word. Talk about delight! It will be sheer delight to our souls to have Him reveal the truth of His word to us.

170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

"Supplication": Entreaty; to ask, beseech, or implore earnestly. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Eph. 6:18. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7. What a wonderful privilege we have to take everything to the Lord in prayer! We can come to Him for salvation when we need deliverance from sin. But there will be times all along our Christian journey when we will need the deliverance of the Lord from burdens, problems, needs and other pressures and complications of life. And we always desire our deliverance to be according to His precious Word and divine plan for our lives.

171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

"Utter": Gush or pour forth. "Speak of thy word": Answer, give heed, pay attention and respond to Your Word. These are Hebrew definitions. God is pleased when the response from our hearts to His Word is praise and an attitude of joyful submission. His commandments are not grievous. (I John 5:3.) We respond to what He says with loving devotion and a hearty "Amen!" We anticipate and look forward to what the Lord has to say. "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." Prov. 8:34.

173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isa. 41:10. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Rev. 3:10. "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name." Psalm 91:14.

174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight. "Desire" is one important key in our relationship with the Lord. Satan works to tempt us with other things and seeks to make the things of the Spirit of God inferior and less attractive. This is an area of our being that we must be very diligent and careful about. To be saved one must long and yearn for it. One must be willing to take appropriate and required steps to lay hold upon salvation. One just does not "happen" to be saved. It is to be preceded with great desire. We that are saved are longing and yearning for Christ to "appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. We are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:5. And along with this longing is the love and joy we have in the law of God in Christ Jesus.

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

When a person really repents of his sins and lays hold on the promises of God and becomes a new creature, then real life comes into his or her inner man. It is a life from above. It is so real and precious that the praises just flow out spontaneously. There was a woman years ago who found peace and salvation so richly that she just praised God continually. Her neighbors heard her and began to complain. They had her arrested for disturbing the peace. She kept on praising the Lord, and God's judgments came on her neighbors. One by one they died mysteriously. The Lord is pleased when we praise Him for His great salvation.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

There are times when, through adversities and confusing elements around us, we may lose our way. We are in a maze and greatly perplexed as to what to do. This can happen to any of us. Maybe we have been let down by professed Christians and we lose our bearings. God is faithful to come to our rescue and lift us out of despair if we will not neglect His Word. His Word will help us to find the right way again. But if we neglect to seek counsel from His Word and try to find the way through human reasoning and carnal policy, we will really lose our way. Let us endeavor to keep the precious Word of life continually before us, and be true to walk in its light faithfully.