Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119

Psalm 119-10 (vv145-160)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Qoph – The truth of God’s Word­

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
  I will keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
  that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
  I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
  that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
  O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
  they are far from your law.
151 But you are near, O Lord,
  and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
  that you have founded them forever.

Resh – Love for God’s Word­

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
  for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
  give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
  for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;
  give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
  but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
  because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
  Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
  and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

 

Reflection

• “I rise before dawn” (v147). Christians throughout history have been practicing this discipline of dedicating our first word, thought, and time of each day to our God of creation.
• How would such discipline help you face the challenges and excitement of everyday life?
• The phrase “Plead my cause” in v154 is a legal term. The writer is asking God to be his advocate – essentially, he is asking God to represent him as his attorney. As followers of Christ, we have the promise of a divine attorney that represents us in God’s courtroom. His name is Jesus (ref 1 John 2:1-2).
• “All your words are true” (v160, NV). The psalmist continued the theme in v152 and affirmed again his belief that God’s Word has endured and will endure forever.
• Continue praying for the personal struggles you are facing or for someone else who is struggling. Remember, we have an advocate in heaven (1 John 2:1-2) who intercedes with God on our behalf (Romans 8:34-39).

 

 

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