Psalm 119 - Resh

The words of prayer in this stanza reveal a heart of maturity. The psalmist has developed a deep relationship with God and a strong bond with His Word. He makes some bold statements to reveal this relationship. "I do not forget Your law" (v. 153). "I do not turn aside from Your testimonies" (v. 157). "Consider how I love Your precepts" (v. 159). He also claims to "loathe [the treacherous] because they do not keep" God's Word (v. 158).

These statements are a far cry from the longings expressed in the opening stanza of the psalm. In the beginning the psalmist saw other believers living that way, and he desired it for himself. The first stanza conveys almost a sense of wonder: Could this ever be true of me? Now it is. The psalmist isn't just saying words here in this stanza. He isn't trying to convince himself of his spirituality or impress others with his maturity. He is speaking directly to God, someone that he knows he cannot fool. He is able to declare these statements without shame or fear because God Himself knows they are true of him.

The psalmist makes these statements with a purpose. His prayer shares a request and a reason for making the request. "Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for [because] I do not forget Your law" (v. 153). What is it about this man's relationship with the Word that gives him the boldness to make such a request? How can he feel so free to ask what he does from God?

In part, it is because maturity has taught him what to expect from God. As he has learned what the Word teaches, he has seen God's character revealed. Three times in this stanza, the psalmist asks for revival. In each case he asks for it based on what God's Word says about His character and what He will do. "Revive me," he prays, "according to Your word" (v. 154), "according to Your ordinances" (v. 156), "according to Your lovingkindness" (v. 159). From his knowledge of the Word and of God revealed in the Word, he knows that revival of the righteous is to be expected. He also knows the same response is not expected for the wicked. He knows that "salvation is far from the wicked" (v. 155) because they don't seek God.

Along with knowing what to expect from God, the psalmist is also bold to ask for help because of the relationship he has with God. This is not a man whom God sees as a stranger or a casual acquaintance. He is not a "Sunday morning" Christian or someone who gives lip service only. This is a man who is devoted to God and His Word. Verses already mentioned recount his remembrance of, obedience to, and love for the Word. He esteems God and His Word highly, stating, "Great are Your mercies" (v. 156), and "The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting" (v. 160).

The psalmist is not afraid to give the reasons why God should work on his behalf, nor is he afraid to ask God to act. His prayer may provoke the question, "Does God  intervene in a greater way for faithful and mature Christians than He does for others?" The answer is too complex for human minds to fully comprehend, but the answer seems to be that at least sometimes He does. The answer is not strange when examined from a human comparison; people are more likely to do something significant for their families or close friends than for total strangers. God is not limited to human responses, and He sometimes does amazing things even for those who don't "deserve" them. There does seem to be support, however, for asserting that God does special things for those who have shown themselves to be His friends in a special way.

The emphasis is on the relationship. A mature Christian doesn't earn or deserve God's blessings because of what he does. Christian groups have routinely conducted studies and surveys to find out what makes a successful Christian or some similar goal. This can lead to artificial Christianity, as people will then pray or read or attend or dress or talk to a specified criteria, expecting their actions to automatically produce the desired result. They fail to realize that it is a devoted heart that leads to the desired goal; the actions and behaviors are reflections of that heart rather than checklists of effective steps for reaching that goal.

That devoted heart is what allows the psalmist to pray as he does. He is bold enough to ask what he does because he has the spiritual maturity, based on his knowledge of God's Word, that lets him know what is reasonable to expect from God. He is also bold to ask because he has the intimate relationship with God that gives him a basis for this kind of conversation. He mentions his maturity, and he asks for revival, but he does not require God's response; anything other than a completely submissive spirit would belie the devoted relationship he claims to have.

"Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness." Psalm 119:159 (NASB)

Psalm 119 - Qoph

Once again the psalmist finds himself in need of help. The only identification of the trouble comes in verse 150: "Those who follow after wickedness draw near." Does the psalmist need protection from these wicked men? Or does he need help in responding correctly through their attack? He does not specify, but most likely the answer is both. The prayers of shallow disciples ask only for deliverance from the external challenges; those of the devoted also ask for victory in the internal challenges.

That this man is crying out for help is quite apparent. He states, "I cried with all my heart" (v. 145), "I cried to You" (v. 146), and "I cry for help" (v. 147). His words indicate a need for someone to hear him and respond: "Answer me" (v. 145) and "Hear my voice" (v. 149). He asks God, "Save me" (v. 146) and "Revive me" (v. 149).

As the psalmist cries for help, he turns to the right place. His entreaties are clearly directed toward God. Nowhere in the passage does he mention any other person as his help, but he repeatedly cries to God. "Answer me, O LORD!" (v. 145). "I cried to You" (v. 146). "I wait for Your words" (v. 148). "Revive me, O LORD" (v. 149). "You are near, O LORD" (v. 151). His thoughts are so God-centered that in this stanza about his personal situation, the psalmist uses more references to God (LORD, You, Your) than he does to himself (I, me, my).

The best way for a believer to see God is through the Word. The psalmist appropriately does his part, by seeking God's help through the Word. He knows the Word is dependable; he declares it to be "truth" (v. 151), and he recognizes its faithful history (v. 152). In this difficult time, the psalmist devotes time to the Word, apparently more than normal. In order to seek God and His Word, the psalmist reveals, "I rise before dawn" (v. 147) and "My eyes anticipate the night watches" (v. 148).

Though the psalmist faithfully seeks God and turns to the right source, he is dependent on God to respond. Man must seek, but all his seeking falls short if God does not bless. This man cries out "with all [his] heart" (v. 145) for God to do just that. As already noted, he repeatedly asks not just for a listening ear to hear his cry, but also for a gracious hand to answer and respond. This man needs God to do His work so that his prayers are not in vain. The psalmist fully expects God to respond, because that is what God does. God acts in accordance with His lovingkindness as well as in harmony with how He is revealed in His Word (v. 149). This needy man ends the stanza by reminding himself of both the faithfulness of the Word and the nearness of his God.

In desperate times this man knows where to turn. He is left crying out from the depths of his heart, but he cries to the right source - a loving and ever-present God. As he waits for God's answer to be revealed, he seeks in the right place - the faithful Word of God. Will he be disappointed? Will the deliverance come? It is uncertain how or when the external attack will stop. With his focused dependence on God and His Word, however, this man will have victory in the internal battle. That successful answer is found only in God.

"Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances." Psalm 119:149 (NASB)

Psalm 119 - Tsadhe

No reader who is reasonably engaged can fail to notice the common theme in this stanza: righteousness. A form of the word is mentioned in verses 137, 138, 144, and twice in verse 142. Each of these words comes from the same root, a word referring to moral rightness, something that is cleansed and justified. It contains no error and no spot whatsoever. The words are used to describe both God and His Word. It is certainly logical that since God is without flaw and entirely correct in everything, His Word is also. Such a pure God could not write anything with error.

In addition to the word righteous, there are several related words that carry similar meanings. Verse 137 contains the word upright, identifying God's judgments as being straight and equitable, never crooked. Verse 140 states that God's Word is "very pure." This picture is that of metal that has been refined by fire, with all the dross removed; it is exceedingly and wholly so. Verse 142 equates God's law with truth; it is certain, right, and without falsehood.

These words assure the believer that the Bible is trustworthy. Everything in it is correct and pure because the God who wrote it is correct and pure. Family and friends may give advice, but one never knows for sure if that advice can be relied on. Not so with God's Word. There is no room for failure, falsehood, misevaluation, or even the slightest variation from what is right. This characteristic makes the Word of God a wonderful guide for life. It is the manual with all of the right answers.

Other descriptions in these verses lift the Word of God to an even higher level (if that is possible). Words spoken or written by people can be right and true. The problem is that even when humans get something exactly right, their success is only temporary. What they say may be true now, but may not continue to hold true over the course of time. People do not maintain a consistent record. Sooner or later they fail.

God and the Bible never have that potential for failure. God gave His Word with "exceeding faithfulness" (v. 138). It is overwhelmingly firm and secure. God's righteousness is "everlasting" (v. 142). It will never fail, no matter how far into the future one goes. The final verse of the stanza states that the Word is righteous "forever" (v. 144). The wonderful truth about God's Word is that its righteousness will never end.

A believer does not have to be concerned that the Word that was right for his parents or grandparents will be wrong for him. In fact, he can look as far back as the apostles and the early church, even to Isaiah, David, Moses, or Adam. The Word that was right through all those millennia has not changed. It is still just as righteous today. Neither does a believer need to have concern that the Word will fail his children or grandchildren. The Bible will always be righteous.

This amazing truth is helpful and encouraging when the believer responds correctly to it. The psalmist states that he loves God's Word (v. 140) and that it is his delight (v. 143). Because of how faithful the Word is, the psalmist holds it in high regard. This adoration of the Word of God is perhaps simpler than the two other responses that the psalmist mentions.

First, he must have understanding of God's Word (v. 144). The Word cannot give comfort and help if the believer does not comprehend its meaning. It is knowledge of the faithful and righteous statements of God's Word that enables the believer to face life and respond correctly. Understanding of the truth gives help and hope. The truth of the Bible is still very real even if the believer does not understand, but it is the comprehension that gives hope and assurance.

Perhaps the most challenging of all is what the psalmist mentions in verse 141, where he states that he does not forget God's Word. All too often a believer knows the truth, but he fails to be helped by it because he forgets it at the critical time. Tensions and pressures take over. Emotions seize control. Anxious thoughts rule the mind, and the truth that ought to help is squeezed out. The problem is not with the effectiveness of the Word; it is with the focus of the believer. The Word is righteous forever; it will not let the believer down, but the believer must remember and focus on it to profit from its help.

"Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live." Psalm 119:144 (NASB)

Psalm 119 - Pe

In this stanza the psalmist expresses profound devotion for the Word. He declares that it is "wonderful" (v. 129). He values it because understanding of it "gives light" (v. 130). He longs after the Word so intensely that he "opened [his] mouth and panted" for it (v. 131). This man clearly loves the Word, but his love is not limited to  being merely a feeling.

The psalmist's love provokes reactions within him. One reaction is related to the wicked. He reveals that his "eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep [God's] law" (v. 136). His devotion to the Word is so great that his heart is burdened when he sees other people violating it.

The response is not confined, however, to sorrow over the actions of the wicked. The psalmist is also so devoted to God's Word that he is concerned for how he lives personally. It is easy to see the blatant wickedness and the extreme godlessness of the world. It is easy, even expected, for believers to be burdened or outraged over such opposition to God. It is another thing to respond so definitively to one's own violations of God's law - violations that may seem mild in comparison.

The psalmist is concerned about his own obedience. He prays for his footsteps to be established in the Word so that iniquity will not have dominion over him (v. 133). He prays that he will be able to keep God's Word (v. 134). He knows the reality of the temptation and the human propensity to sin, and he does not want to yield to those tendencies. He does not want any sin to have victory over him, causing him to violate God's commands.

Wisely, the psalmist asks for God's help. He knows he cannot win the battle alone. He asks God to "turn to [him] and be gracious to [him]" (v. 132). He asks God to "establish [his] footsteps" (v. 133). He asks for God's face to shine upon him, and for God to teach him (v. 135). His desires are right, but he cannot achieve them without divine help.

Churches are filled with people who say the right things. These people speak of their passion for God. They testify that they love God and His Word. They protest the wickedness of the world. They decry the degradation of society and the apathy of other Christians. All of these are good responses. The question this passage prompts is whether there is any practical display to support this stated passion.

Passion for God is not limited to words. Passion for God expresses itself in actions. It expresses itself in a life commitment to walk obediently in God's ways. It expresses sorrow over sin, discontent over complacency, and disdain for mediocrity. A Christian with a passion for God doesn't just say it; he lives it.

"Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me." Psalm 119:133 (NASB)