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)

Psalm 119 - Ayin

No one likes to wait. The more important the answer and the more challenging the situation, the harder it is to wait. In this stanza the psalmist describes a time of waiting.

Although he has done what is right, he is still at the hands of his oppressors, and he asks God not to leave him there (v. 121). He longs for God's salvation; as he waits to see it, he feels the strain (v. 123). When he looks around at the enemy and the circumstances they have created, he declares that it is time for the Lord to act (v. 126).

There are times like this in life. A Christian can find himself in difficult situations that seem like they will never end. He can face trials that seem to have no possible answer. He waits on God until he runs out of patience; he continues waiting still, but no answer appears on the horizon. If he only knew there were an end, he could manage to endure, but he sees nothing to give him hope.

In such a situation, the believer needs to respond as this man did. His first response is prayer. It is quite clear in these times of waiting that man does not have the answer. Even if man knew what to do, he would be powerless to bring it about. It is God, then, to whom the believer must appeal.

The stanza is filled with prayers for God's help. "Do not leave me to my oppressors" (v. 121). "Be surety for Your servant for good" (v. 122). "Do not let the arrogant oppress me" (v. 122). "Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness" (v. 124). "Teach me Your statutes" (v. 124). "Give me understanding" (v. 125). The psalmists asks for deliverance, for expressions of God's goodness, and for understanding. Each of these is a great request, and each expresses dependence on God.

The second response is one of unwavering trust. Trust in God is the foundation that keeps a believer secure when everything is falling apart. Faith assures him that there is an answer and that there is someone in control whether man can see it or not. Without this trust, hopelessness and despair would prevail.

The psalmist expresses his trust in God. His very prayers convey a sense of expectation for God to act. He expects God to do good for him (v. 122) and to show His lovingkindness (v. 124). He places himself humbly before God as a servant, dependent on the master (v. 125). He declares God's Word to be righteous (v. 123).

In fact, it is this man's estimation of the Word that most poignantly illustrates his trust. In spite of all that is happening in his life, and in spite of the lack of answers, the psalmist stands resolutely on the Word. He declares his love for the Word, declaring its value to be above the finest gold (v. 127).

The psalmist sees God's words and ways expressed through his circumstances and through God's seeming delay in answering. Everything he sees seems to cry out that God is wrong, yet the psalmist still declares Him to be right (v. 128). That is the essence of trust - believing God and hoping in God with no evidence (or even in spite of apparent evidence to the contrary). This man knows that his life is not currently a bed of roses, but he is controlled by a stronger belief that God is always right, no matter what.

"Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way." Psalm 119:128 (NASB)