STAYING ON TRACK
Opening Prayer
I worship you as I come to your Word today, Almighty God. You are worthy of honor and glory, far more than I can ever offer you. Thank you for welcoming my humble praise.
Read PSALM 119:1–24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
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
Galatians 5:25 urges us to ‘keep in step with the Spirit.’ Are you in danger of lagging behind or rushing ahead? Take time to get in step.Last year my wife and I walked the coast-to-coast path across England. Our main concern was about my navigation and its potential impact on our relationship! We were saved by downloading the route for each day on my phone. As long as the red triangle (indicating our GPS position) was on the red line of the route, all was well. If we were ever in doubt, we could zoom in to get a more detailed map.
For the psalmist, the ‘law of the Lord’ was his map. He wanted his ‘way’ to be perfect (v. 1) and steadfast (v. 5), staying on the path of purity (v. 9). He wanted to access as much detail as possible (v. 18) so that he could walk with confidence and integrity. He was determined to memorize the route, so he wouldn’t go off track (v. 11).
At times we are unsure of which way to go. Is the map of the Word of God really reliable? We may be tempted to use our own judgment or listen to directions from other authoritative voices (v. 23), but the safest way is to let the map guide you (v. 24).
Apply
In the Bible the image of ‘walking’ is more about a way of life than about geography or biography. Spend some time assessing what you are becoming, as well as what you are doing.
Closing prayer
Lord God, help me to live each moment of this day in tune with your Spirit, in ways that bring you glory. Help me to put aside those things that distract me from serving you.
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