I Love Your Word
Opening Prayer
“Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws” (Psa. 119:108).
Read Psalm 119:97–112
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Reflect on verse 97. Is that statement true with you?It is clear that the psalmist’s whole life is dominated by God’s Word. He is always thinking about it (97–99), always trying his best to obey it (101). This makes him wiser than all the influential people he knows—enemies, teachers or elders (98–100). God’s Word brings him more pleasure than anything else in life (103). What he gains from it is not just intellectual understanding but the wisdom “to hate every wrong path” (104).
The psalmist finds from experience that God’s Word guides him both in the general direction he should take and in particular immediate decisions (105). So whatever the cost, he is determined to follow the right path (106). This doesn’t mean that life will be easy—in fact, the reverse is true. He continues to “suffer much” (107) and constantly takes his life in his hands (109). There is always a temptation to stray from God’s way (110). But the psalmist is very determined. Nothing is ever going to deflect him from following the Lord’s way—“to the very end” (112).
Apply
Choose some verses from today’s reading to hold in your heart (119:11). Write them down and carry them with you.
Closing prayer
Lord, may Your words be the joy of my heart. Teach me and keep me from evil.
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