So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word. Psalm 119:42 True believers will definitely face opposition in this life. In the midst of such opposition it can be very easy to develop bad habits. We can become angry, agitated, bitter, impatient, etc. If we are to [...]
May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word; Psalm 119:41 The term lovingkindness is uncommon in today’s language. One might assume it is simply a gentle, caring kind of love. While these characteristics are true in regard to God’s love, they do not do justice to the depth [...]
Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me through Your righteousness. Psalm 119:40 What would life be like if we did not have God’s word? We would have no basis for law, except for our warped consciences. We would have no understanding of the beginning of life or the purpose of life. We would not [...]
Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your ordinances are good. Psalm 119:39 The psalmist acknowledges the reproach that he is facing because of his relationship with God. He also admits that the opposition causes him some degree of fear. W.S. Plummer, speaking of the reproach that believers can face, says “It makes cowards [...]
Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You. Psalm 119:38 A proper perspective of self is essential to have a proper perspective of God. The psalmist self-identifies as God’s servant. The more we understand who we are, the more inclined we will be to have an appropriate reverence for God. [...]
Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways. Psalm 119:37 The psalmist expresses his need for help when it comes to his eyes. There are dangers and distractions everywhere! Consider how Achan and David found themselves in great trouble because of their eyes. So Achan answered Joshua and said, [...]
Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain. Psalm 119:36 The heart of each person, even a Christian, can quickly lead them astray. The psalmist recognized the danger and prayed that God would keep his heart aligned with God’s word rather than with selfish gain. The Scriptures are clear that we are [...]
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Psalm 119:35 As Christians, we can delight in the ways of God and yet find that, left to ourselves, we will fail miserably in our pursuit of those ways. The great Puritan commentator on Psalm 119, Thomas Manton, wrote, ‘David, in [...]
Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34 Have you ever asked your kids to do their chores, only to have them respond with a less-than-enthusiastic obedience? It is not an obedience that is honoring. It is more of a forced obedience that also communicates [...]
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. Psalm 119:33 Life moves at a very fast pace, so much so that we can lose sight of where we are going! The psalmist is looking at the whole of life. He wants to learn the way of [...]