Psalm 119 - Samekh

In this stanza, the psalmist reveals the contrast between his estimation for people and his estimation for the Word. He is surrounded by people, many of whom make no pretense of loving the Word; he refuses to yield to that peer pressure. He distances himself from the influence of the ungodly, while placing himself as firmly as possible in the pathway of the Word. The Word is what he esteems highly and chooses as his source of influence.

Four of the eight verses deal with those around him, people who are not walking with God. The psalmist says that he hates the double-minded (v. 113). If any of the people mentioned in the stanza have any inclination of following God, it is this group. They do not, however, have a consistent focus on the Word. They waver between two opinions, between two lifestyles. At times, they speak of God and claim to follow Him, and then they turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Such fickle, inconsistent friends do not encourage the psalmist in his pursuit of God; he loves the unchanging Word instead.

The psalmist instructs evildoers to depart from him (v. 115). Their presence is hindering him from following God as he would like. He recognizes that he will be more consistently obedient when he is not pulled astray by the influence of the wicked. While he has to live in the world, which is filled with ungodly people, being constantly in their presence does present challenges that he wishes to avoid.

In verse 118, the psalmist reveals a very good reason for not joining in with such people. They are rejected by God. The psalmist speaks of hypocrites; they are deceitful because their message is inconsistent. Their words and actions don't match. They used to walk in God's ways, and perhaps still claim to belong to God, but they have wandered from His paths. The psalmist calls these people useless. They neither encourage other Christians nor influence the unbelievers. They have lost God's blessing, and the psalmist does not want to be part of that group.

Finally, the psalmist speaks of God's judgment on the wicked (v. 119). Those who reject God's ways and blatantly oppose Him will be removed. They may have their place for a while, but their end is death and destruction. They do not have the eternal life that really matters, and their judgment is the result of their rejection of God and His Word. The psalmist loves the Word, because accepting and following it leads to life.

In contrast to these verses in which the psalmist repels the influence of the ungodly, the remaining verses describe how he embraces the Word. The Word is his protection (v. 114). It provides him with a refuge in which to hide. It is a shield to defend him from attacks. When the psalmist is in danger and in trouble, he finds the Word to be the right place to put his hope. He waits on it, expecting to see the protection it promises.

The Word is his strength (v. 115). When he is weak and fainting, the Word sustains him. It is his life and his hope. It keeps him from being ashamed by falling flat on his face.

In verse 117, the psalmist says that the Word is constant and faithful. As the God of the Word upholds him, he is able to live a long life. All throughout that life, he is able to look at the Word and see it ever faithful. His gaze can be fixed on the Word continually, without ever being disappointed.

In both verses 113 and 119, the psalmist declares his love for the Word, but his love is coupled with a seemingly strange partner in verse 120. This man's love for God and the Word is accompanied with fear for God and the Word. This reverent fear is not so strange, however, when one considers what this man knows. He has seen what happens to those who do not follow God's ways. He described their end in this stanza.

He has also seen what happens to those who do keep God's ways. He noted them as early as the first stanza, and he has longed for the blessed life they enjoy. There is quite a contrast between the two groups, both in the way they live and in the way their lives end up. He knows which end he wants - blessing, not judgment. That end will be achieved as he fears opposing God and as he reverently follows the Word.

The psalmist has seen some turn from God's ways; he has seen the double-minded and the hypocrites. If some of those around him have walked in those false ways, what is to stop him from doing the same? He is rightfully fearful of that end and rightfully dependent on God to keep his steps right.

Knowing the guidance that the Word provides, it is no wonder that he loves the Word. Knowing the danger that wrong influences introduce, it is also no wonder that he separates himself from those people. When it comes down to the choice of being influenced by peers or by the Word, the psalmist wisely and determinedly chooses the Word.

"I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your law." Psalm 119:113 (NASB)