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May 30th
Our bible reading today is in the first 88 verses of Psalm 119. The longest psalm. The longest chapter in the bible. The author of the song is not mentioned in the title, but I believe David penned it. Not in one sitting, but perhaps over most of his life.
There are 22 sections. One section per letter in the 22 letter alphabet of the Hebrew language. Each section has exactly eight verses in it. And at least 171 of the 176 verses refer directly to the glory of God’s written words to His children of faith.
Before we look at some of the text, I want to share some rare testaments to the splendor of this song.
Martin Luther said that he would not take the whole world for one leaf of Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon said that it was the great length of this song that captured his own wonderment of the immensity and ever greatness of Scripture. And so he memorized it.
Some other notable people memorized this great psalm.
William Wilberforce...(a personal friend of the John Newton who wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace), and a 19th-century British politician who fought for the abolishment of the slave trade in the British Empire. Henry Martyn, 19th-century pioneer missionary to India. Dr. David Livingston, pioneer missionary to Africa. And Matthew Henry, the great 18th-century Bible commentator.
Matthew’s father, Phillip Henry, had each of his children memorize and meditate upon one verse of Ps 119 each day...covering all 176 verses twice in a year. He told his children that devouring psalm 119 would cause them to fall in love with the rest of scripture. And it sure hit that mark in Matthew Henry’s life.
George Wishart, the 17th century Bishop of Edinburgh, was condemned to death for his faith. When he was on the hangman’s scaffold, he was allowed the singing of one psalm before his death. And he began to quote the 119th. Before 2/3 of the song had been sung, his pardon arrived and his life was providentially spared.
Now to some specific text from the reading.
Verse 1...Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” He very well may have had this psalm in mind. Blessed are the pure, the holy, the undefiled in life.
God through David and the triune Godhead through the Lord Jesus was speaking of a blessed life...a happy life...a joyful life to be had...to be experienced in the here and now.
And that happy life would be a life walked in harmony with God’s very words. Yes, that kind of life is the Spirit-filled life...trusting in the Holy Spirit for the determination and for the everyday desire to walk in God’s will and ways.
Some teachers have taught that it’s possible to worship the bible and not the author of the book of books. I can see where students of the bible can fall to the temptation of being in love with the “reputation of learnedness” that eventually leads to being puffed up. But “this” psalm about the glory of God’s written revelation, moves believers in my estimation toward God not away.
David tells the Lord how he “loves God’s laws”, God’s testimonies, God’s statutes, God’s commands, God’s promises, God’s rules, all of God’s words. “I love them”, David says.
I don't believe that David was telling God that he was trusting in the rules to save him eternally. I believe David was telling God...”I Love your Words...because they help me see You...the only One who deserves my worship.
Enjoy the rest of the song...Have a great day
