Daily Devotional Sunday 16th June 2024

by William Moody

Psalm 119:121–144

Ayin

121   I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122   Give your servant a pledge of good;
    let not the insolent oppress me.
123   My eyes long for your salvation
    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124   Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and teach me your statutes.
125   I am your servant; give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
126   It is time for the LORD to act,
    for your law has been broken.
127   Therefore I love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
128   Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every false way.

Pe

129   Your testimonies are wonderful;
    therefore my soul keeps them.
130   The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple.
131   I open my mouth and pant,
    because I long for your commandments.
132   Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
133   Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134   Redeem me from man’s oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
135   Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
136   My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because people do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137   Righteous are you, O LORD,
    and right are your rules.
138   You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.
139   My zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
140   Your promise is well tried,
    and your servant loves it.
141   I am small and despised,
    yet I do not forget your precepts.
142   Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is true.
143   Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my delight.
144   Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    give me understanding that I may live.

(ESV)

The Psalmist has great confidence in the Lord’s commands (v137-138). The rules God has given are righteous, because the Lord is totally righteous.  We must never separate our response and attitude to God’s word from our response and attitude to God. How we treat God’s word is how we treat God.

The Psalmist has a consuming zeal because of those who do not treat God’s word properly (v139). By contrast the Psalmist loves God’s promises as he has proved them to be true (v140).

The Psalmist is not valued in this world, but that doesn’t matter, rather it is his remembering of God’s commands that give him vale (v141).

God’s word is eternal and never changing because God’s righteousness is forever (v142). This brings great security in a world of trouble and anguish (v143). The never changing righteousness of God’s word give a deep longing to understand them, knowing this is where real life and life to the full comes from (v144). Do you have a similar confidence and love in God’s word? Is God’s word your true lifeline?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.