Psalm 119 - Mem

The psalmist shares some very important truth he has learned about devotion to the Word. He has experienced a tremendous, perhaps unanticipated, blessing from spending time in the Word. In this stanza he delights in expressing to God the wonders of this blessing.

It is important to note that the blessing is fundamentally tied to his time in the Word. Each time he tells of the blessing he has received, he very clearly links the blessing to his devotion to the Word.

Devotion is a good word to use. The author's statements make it clear that this is not a mere passing interest, nor is it a half-hearted or obligatory duty. He declares that the Word is his "meditation all the day" (v. 97). He says that the Word is "ever" or always his (v. 98). The Word is his "meditation" (v. 99). He has "observed" God's truth (v. 100).

The word for meditation refers to devotion and reflection. Ever comes from a word meaning concealed, with the idea that it is for all time. Observed is not just looking at, but guarding, protecting, and preserving. This is a man who is serious about spending large amounts of time pondering the Word, studying it, and learning it.

What is the primary blessing that the psalmist reveals in this passage? It is wisdom. Because of his knowledge of the Word, this man is "wiser than his enemies" (v. 98). He has "more insight than all [his] teachers" (v. 99). He understands "more than the aged" (v. 100).

Because of his time devoted to the Word, the psalmist has not just knowledge and intelligence, but also more important skills like prudence and discernment. He is circumspect, wise, and skillful. He knows how to be successful over his enemies. Although young enough that he still has teachers and does not count himself among the aged, he has more insight than those leaders. His knowledge of the Word has equipped him incredibly well for living life.

The wisdom is not an end in itself. Because the psalmist understands issues properly, he makes the right choices. His knowledge has caused him to restrain his "feet from every evil way" (v. 101). Because of the teaching he has received from God, he has "not turned aside" from God's ways. The right choices and right living are the logical outcome of the understanding he has achieved. It is also quite logical that the psalmist is elated over this resultant blessing. After all, his objective from the beginning was to faithfully walk in God's ways. He is now realizing how his devotion to the Word is enabling him to meet his objective.

The stanza begins with love and ends with hate. "O how I love Your law!" (v. 97). It is no wonder that the psalmist loves the Word, when he realizes the tremendous benefit that has come to him through it. Such an incredible resource surpasses other things that he would ordinarily consider to be superb. "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (v. 103). The Word is surpassing sweet because of the blessing of wisdom that it provides.

The psalmist loves the Word, but he hates "every false way" (v. 104). The false way does exactly the opposite of what the Word does. Through lies and deceit, these false influences lead the believer down the wrong path. The input and philosophies of the world may sometimes sound good, but they produce wrong understanding, leading to wrong choices. The believer who opens his mind to the false way invites barriers that prevent him from living faithfully for God.

If the goal is to walk with God, it is logical that the believer will hate false ways. Whether it be worldly philosophies like humanism, the blatant immorality of the world's entertainment, or the limited human wisdom of friends, these false ways lead to wrong thinking and pull the believer away from his goal of godly living.

Why follow the false way that leads to failure and destruction, when following the Word leads to the blessing of wisdom and right choices? Why wouldn't a believer love the Word when it yields so much benefit? The psalmist realizes that due to his devotion to the Word, he now knows what to do and is enabled to do it. The Bible will do the same today for the Christian who will take the time to meditate on its truth.

"I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts." Psalm 119:100 (NASB)