Scripture: Psalm
119:1-8
Psalm 119 is an acrostic that focuses on a life that is
devoted to learning and loving God’s Word and living according to it. You may
see some strange words at the beginning of each of the eight-verse sections.
For instance, this section is marked, “Aleph.” Those titles are Hebrew letters,
and in Hebrew each line of that segment begins with that letter. This reading
describes those who are “blessed” in terms of their relationship to God’s Word;
in this way it matches with Psalm 1. The psalm matches with the reading from
Deuteronomy and Matthew emphasizing the goodness of God’s Word and the
importance of living according to it.
Teaching
The psalm addresses the idea of blessed-ness in relationship
to God, and places the heart of that relationship in God’s Word. It speaks of
God’s law, testimonies, ways, precepts, statutes, commandments, righteous
rules, and statutes; all of which are communicated through the Word. The psalmist
desires to know God’s Word in every way possible; every aspect and facet of it.
In fact the word “law” in v. 1 is a translation of the word torah in Hebrew. This word means teachings, and includes the whole of
God’s Word, both Law and Gospel.
It should be noted that the psalm deals with the
relationship with God’s Word in two dimensions. The psalmist recognizes that
the blessed are those people; plural. So we see that God’s Word speaks to a
group or congregation in gatherings like worship services or Bible studies. But
the psalmist also speaks in the singular: “Oh that my ways may be steadfast….”
So we see that God’s Word engages us individually. The Christian life sees a
constant interplay between the congregation of believers and individual
believer.
Life
In essence what Psalm 119 describes is meditation upon God’s
Word. It describes people engaged in the Word as a group and as an individual. While
our eyes individually might not be always fixed on God’s commandments, his Word
does enter our minds, and it is good for us to think about his ways and
testimonies. The congregation draws us back to the word and encourages us in
it. Reading devotions like this, which are rooted in the upcoming worship service,
is one way we do that. How else might you keep God’s Word before you each day?
Have you thought about your place in the congregation of
believers? There is no such thing as lone Christian. We are called to be part
of the blessed group that gathers around God’s Word. How might it change your
experience of worship if you look at the congregation on Sunday and say of
them, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the
Lord!”?
Prayer
Use Psalm 119:1-8 to guide your prayer today. Let it
encourage you to pray for your home congregation and your sisters and brothers in
Christ there. Use this psalm to think about your relationship with God’s Word
and confess the times you have not held it sacred or gladly heard and learned
it.[1]
Then let this psalm make you bold to pray for the Holy Spirit to give you greater
love of God’s Word and to draw you more deeply into it.
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