14th September 2023 – Psalm 119:169-176

Thu 14 Sep 2023

Taw

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word!
¹⁷⁰Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.
¹⁷¹My lips will pour forth praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
¹⁷²My tongue will sing of your word,
    for all your commandments are right.
¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴I long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.

In the next pair of verses, 173, 174, as Maclaren puts it, 'the emphasis lies, not on the prayer for help, so much as on its grounds in the Psalmist's deliberate choice of God's precepts, his patient yearning for God's salvation, and his delight in the Law, all of which characteristics have been over again professed in the Psalm.' The Psalmist has committed himself to God, and to His Word, and it is inconceivable to him that God, being Who He is, should fail to help him when in need. Understood like this, there should be no question of supposing that he expected help because he was 'a deserving case'. That would be to miss the point. The last two verses (175, 176) speak of fellowship and communion with God. To live at all is to be a debtor to grace, and therefore praise is the order of the day (175). 'Life drawn from God, turned to God in continual praise, and invigorated by unfailing helps ministered through His uttered will, is the only life worth living' (Maclaren). We should note, however, that the Psalm closes on a somewhat sadder note: 'I have gone astray like a lost sheep'. All that has been said is high ground, and the Psalmist wistfully recognises that he is often tempted to take lower ground than this; he does not always attain to it, and is conscious of his waywardness and weakness. Are we not all obliged to confess this, even when we genuinely try (176b) to keep His way? But - blessed be God - the last word does not lie with our waywardness and failure. There is a Shepherd, and He seeks the sheep that was lost, not resting till He finds it. And no appeal to Him can ever be in vain!

13th September 2023 – Psalm 119:169-176

Wed 13 Sep 2023

Taw 169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word!170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.173 Let… →

12th September 2023 – Psalm 119:161-168

Tue 12 Sep 2023

Sin and Shin 161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.165 Great peace have those who love… →

11th September 119:161-168

Mon 11 Sep 2023

10th September 119:145-160

Sun 10 Sep 2023

Qoph 145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes.146 I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies.147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I… →

9th September 119:145-160

Sat 9 Sep 2023

8th September Psalm 119:145-160

Fri 8 Sep 2023

7th September 2023 – Psalm 119:121-144

Thu 7 Sep 2023

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 fulfilment of your righteous promise.124 Deal with your servant according to… →

6th September 2023 – Psalm 119:121-144

Wed 6 Sep 2023

5th September 2023 – Psalm 119:121-144

Tue 5 Sep 2023