The last post seems to have gathered a lot of interest. I'll post some followups a bit later. For now a couple of comments on Ps 119. I've been meditating on it over the weekend and its been doing me a lot of good. Its sad that when you ask lots of people what they know about Psalm 119, that the only response you get is "long" (= unapproachable, daunting and perhaps boring).
Yes, its long, but its WONDERFUL. If there is a Bible A-Z of how to worship over and delight in the Bible, then Ps 119 is it. If you find it too long, try taking one of the short chunks at a time and chew it over. I found two things particularly helpful this time:
1. The psalmist asking God to do things for his heart that he cannot do for himself, that will incline him even further towards God, eg:
119:10 do not let me stray from your commands
119:18 open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law
119:32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free
119:38 fulfil your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared
2. How carried away the psalmist is with enjoying God and delighting in his revealed word, eg:
119:97 Oh how I love your law, I meditate on it all day long
119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
119:128 Your statutes are wonderful, therefore I obey them
Among other things He links receiving God's word with receiving his love (v41), God's hope (v49), the preservation of his life and his comfort in suffering (v50), God's grace (v58), God' goodness (v65), the knowledge of God (lots of verses). God's compassion, insight, strength, protection, purity and blessing.
You will probably find time to eat today. I hope that if you are reading this blog you aren't doing it at the expense of spiritually feeding on God's word. The psalmist says that if we delight in him we won't neglect the word (119:16). Today, as we have opportunity, lets:
- Speak of his statutes before kings
- Obey his precepts and thereby walk in freedom
- Delight in his commands because we love them
- Lift up our hands to his commands which we love, and meditate on his decrees