THE BEAUTY OF LAW
Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for watching over me, for caring about my every step, and providing everything I need to follow you and to prosper.
Read PSALM 119:49–72
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
ט Teth
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
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
How many words can you think of that mean something like ‘law’? Look in a thesaurus if you prefer.People, in our muddled way, sometimes seem to proceed as if there are two gods. There’s a nice one, who is all about grace, love, and forgiveness. Then there’s the scary one, who deals in laws, judgment, and wrath. Christians are not exempt from this sort of theological confusion. The truth, of course, is that there is one God and that, through Jesus’ accomplishment on the cross, we may come to experience the first set of divine attributes and can thankfully escape the consequences of the second.
However, both the book of Isaiah and the psalms testify that reality is not as simple as all that. The astonishing theme of Psalm 119 is that there is hope, comfort, and rejoicing to be found not only in God’s loving kindness but also in his law. Perhaps this is hard for someone in our age to fully grasp. I might check the planning laws or the Highway Code to find out what I ought to do. As a Christian, I might search the Scriptures for guidance on how my church or my family should behave. The psalmist mentioned ‘the law’ in almost every verse (using various vocabulary) but he did not once mention any rules he should obey. Instead, the law was his delight (v. 70). Could we be missing something here?
Apply
Why was the psalmist right to delight in the law? What makes you delight in it?
Closing prayer
I praise you, Lord God, because, ultimately, my life is ordered by you and not subject to the chaos of wickedness.
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