Psalm 119 (vv161-176)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Sin and Shin – Joy in God’s Word^­

¹⁶¹ Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of your words.
¹⁶² I rejoice at your word
    like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous rules.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law;
    nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
¹⁶⁷ My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
¹⁶⁸ I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before you.

Taw – Salvation in God’s Word^­

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word!
¹⁷⁰ Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.
¹⁷¹ My lips will pour forth praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
¹⁷² My tongue will sing of your word,
    for all your commandments are right.
¹⁷³ Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.

Reflection

1. The psalmist wrote that powerful men, princes, were oppressing him without cause. Even though they made his life miserable, he resolved to stand in awe of God, rejoice in God’s Word, love God’s Word, praise God and to keep God’s commands.
2. In a world struggling for peace, Christians can find peace – a peace that comes from being in right relationship with Him. Like the psalmist, when we resolve ourselves to follow God regardless of the circumstances around us, we have the promise of God’s peace – an inner tranquility of spirit that defies circumstances and the ability of the human mind to create or understand.
3. Spend time re-read and meditate on v165. Where do you need God’s peace now? How does v165 help you in obtaining God’s peace in turmoil, tragedy or unexpected difficult times?
4. We’ve come to the final stanza of this psalm, vv169-176. With the conclusion of this section, the writer concludes the prayer he began in verse 17. He is still struggling with his oppression, still crying out to God. Yet, as followers of Christ, where else can we turn but to God in prayer and to his word.
5. Thank God for this psalm 119, for what it teaches us about God’s word, and about life, and the hope we have in God’s promises.  

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