THE LENS OF GOD’S WORD
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.
Meditate
How did you develop a love for the Bible? Was it through a person, an experience, a community? Thank God for how this happened.
Think Further
Experienced Bible readers know that Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem with a stanza for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Perhaps because of that, its message can seem jumbled: yes, it’s about God’s Word, but the psalmist seems to bounce around to different, unrelated points. An image that helps me is a pair of glasses. Think of Psalm 119 as a poem written by a person looking at everything through the lens of God’s Word. That’s what brings order both to this psalm and to our lives.
So instead of trying to detect an integrated logic for each stanza, let’s meditate on individual phrases. What verses stood out to you in our reading? There were three that got me thinking. The first was the image of pondering God and his Word in the night (v. 55). This is not a better technique for drifting off to sleep. Rather, the psalmist understands that night-time can be an opportunity to draw closer to God, which helps us to obey him in the day. Second, I resonated with the phrase, ‘I have considered my ways’ (v. 59). For the past year I’ve been practicing the ‘daily examen’ of Ignatius. Each day I jot down one experience where I sensed God at work and use it as a starting point for prayer. It has been a meaningful spiritual discipline.
The third thing I noticed was counter-intuitive: the idea that our sin can help us obey God’s Word (v. 67). We must be careful not to manipulate this truth, as Paul reminds us,1 but the fact remains that the memory of our failings in the past can motivate us to greater alignment with God’s Word in the future. Therefore, we, like the psalmist, should thank God for both the pain and the blessing of forgiven sin.
Apply
What difference has the Bible made in your life? What crossroads are you facing now? How could you bring God’s Word into your discernment process?
Closing prayer
Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Word that is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Help me to seek you through it and to learn more of your love and direction for me. Use it to draw me closer to you and to serve you more faithfully.
1 Rom 6:1, 2
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