Highlights:
In this psalm the Word of God is exalted. Every verse in this magnificent psalm magnifies the Word of God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men (John 1:1-4), and He (Jesus Christ) brings the Light of Understanding (the Written Word) to all who trust Him.
The purpose of the longest chapter in the Bible is to emphasize it as the only infallible Guide to Life given by our Creator. In it, God makes known everything He plans for us to be and how to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. It is equally emphasized how indispensable it is to know our Creator, Savior, and soon-coming Messiah King. The chapter opens with: Blessed (Divinely favored) are the undefiled (blameless, whose conduct is beyond reproach) in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord. . . . and that seek Him with the whole heart (Ps. 119:1-2). The undefiled means much more than mechanically obeying rules and laws. We are specially blessed as we seek to please God with the whole heart.
Like David, all who seek God will pray: With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy Commandments. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee (vss 10-11). It is by taking daily delight in the Word of God, as much as in all riches (vs 14), that our fellowship with the Lord is assured. The psalmist continues: I will not forget Thy Word (vs 16). This kind of forgetting is more than a momentary memory lapse. It is drifting away and neglecting the things of God by becoming so involved in other interests.
Daily we need to pray: Make me to go in the path of Thy Commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness (vss 33-35). As we do this, we have something to sing about regardless of circumstances (vs 54). The child of God can also say with the psalmist: Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word. . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy Statutes (vss 67,71).
Though he had been afflicted, the psalmist did not find fault with God. For many of us, it is in times like these that we painfully recognize that our past wrong choices have led to unwholesome consequences. In such circumstances we realize that the Bible is priceless, for it alone reveals life's true values and prepares us for eternity. All who love the Lord can say: I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil (Ps. 119:162).
Thought for Today:
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom. 8:26).
Christ Revealed:
By the psalmist who delighted in the Commandments of God (Ps. 119: 47). Christ said: I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me (John 6:38; 15:10).
Word Studies:
119:1 undefiled =b> blameless; 119:7 uprightness of heart =b> sincere intentions; 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust =b> I am very discouraged; quicken thou me =b> restore my life; 119:28 melteth =b> is weary because of grief; 119:83 become like a bottle in the smoke =b> shrivel like a wineskin in the smoke.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Rita Guerra • Government Officials: Rep. Daniel Lipinski (IL), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Rep. William (Mac) Thornberry (TX), and Sen. George Voinovich (OH) • Country: Seychelles (79,000) a group of islands in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and India • Major languages: English and French • Religious freedom • 89% Roman Catholic; 8% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and then obediently do what God says (I Chron. 14:14-16).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 6
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:8
