Living Words

We discover in these few verses what keeps the psalmist anchored in living God’s way through experiences of suffering (107), risk taking (109) and opposition from others (110). Despite all these pressures, he’s committed to persevering to the end of his life (112). From our own experience we probably know how difficult it can be to maintain living God’s way with him at the center of our lives, so how does the psalmist go about it?

This is not just gritted teeth obedience, although he is obviously very determined to stay true to what God says (106). We’re given a glimpse into his sense of intimate relationship with God, where he says of God “you yourself have taught me” (102). Almost every line in the whole psalm is structured on an “I—You” polarity, making it a prayer about living God’s way in which relationship with him is both the glue and heart of the matter.

He loves God’s “law,” a word that can be used of a single command or the whole body of Scripture (John 15:25; 1 Cor. 14:21). He meditates on it constantly, doing so in the midst of life. Some have described this as being a bit like a cow chewing the cud, where the grass is chewed repeatedly to break it down completely and get all the goodness out of it. What a contrast to our instant age, with quick-fix verses and box-checking to say we’ve had our time with God and can now get back to the business of living our lives. He recognizes God’s commands and statutes, which speak of the binding force and permanence of Scripture and are a source of practical wisdom. As far as he’s concerned, guidance, joy and real delight can be gained from God’s words. How about you?

Reflect on the role God’s Word (and laws and statutes) play in your life. How valuable are they in a practical way? Should and could they be more so?