Zayin – God’s Word as a Source of Hope
49 Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.
Heth – Strong Commitment to God’s Word
57 The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
Reflection
- What are some of the promises found in God’s Word that give you hope, bring you comfort in difficult times and/or get you excited about living?
- As a review, take a look at the promises found in these verses: Romans 10:9 (salvation), Matthew 5:3-12 (the Beatitudes), Matthew 6:33-34 (God’s provision), John 14:1-3 (Jesus’ return for us). These are just a small sampling of the many promises that are found in God’s Word.
- Thank God for his promises to you that give you hope. Most of all, thank God for his son, Jesus, through whom you have the most wonderful promise and hope of all – peace with God.
- Is it OK to ask for God’s favor on our lives (v58)? This is essentially the same question in v17. But, here in verse 58, the psalmist straight out asked for God’s favor and His grace. But, notice the phrase, “…according to your promise.”
- How quickly do you obey God’s Word? Do you take His word as advice to be considered or as commands to be obeyed? In today’s world, advice is readily available. We can shop for the advice that sounds best to us. But, if we aren’t careful, advice – even seemingly good advice – can lead us to become entrapped in cords of wickedness (vs. 61). Remember, v45 indicates that following God’s Word brings freedom. Let’s hasten to keep His commands (vs. 60).
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
Subtitle of each paragraph is from www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm