Psalm 119 – Pt 3: Stanzas 15 to 22: verses 113 to 176

Context

• PART ONE: Stanzas 1 to 7: verses 1 to 56
• PART TWO: Stanzas 8 to 14: verses 57 to 112
• PART THREE: Stanzas 15 to 22: verses 113 to 176

CLICK on the appropriate title to read it. The Studies follow each of the above pages.

PART 3:

• 15. v.113-120 Lord, I reject the paths of the wicked and hold to your word
• 16. v.121-128 Lord, I’m struggling to remain righteous, hold me in your word
• 17. v.129-136 Lord, help me stand on your word with this disobedient people
• 18. v.137-144 Lord, let your words continue to prevail against unbelief
• 19. v.145-152 Lord, my hope is still in your word, against the wicked
• 20. v.153-160 Lord, preserve my life in the face of the opposition I face
• 21. v.161-168 Lord, opposition there may be, but I’ll still hold to your word
• 22. v.169-177 Lord, here I am, answer me

[Note: The third part is liberally scattered with references to the opposition the psalmist encounters – 113,115,119,121,122,134,139,143,150,154-159.]

[15] Samekh [Lord, I reject the paths of the wicked and hold to your word]

v.113 False or confused people I reject but hold fast the clarity of God’s word

v.113 I hate double-minded people,
    but I love your law.

v.114 In a confused or threatening world, God is my refuge, and I trust in His word

v.114 You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.

v.115 Get away you wrong-doers, I hold to God’s word

v.115 Away from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!

v.116,117 Sustain, uphold & deliver me Lord, while I hold to your word

v.116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I shall live;
    do not let my hopes be dashed.
v.117 Uphold me, and I shall be delivered;
    I shall always have regard for your decrees.

v.118,119 The deluded-wicked are led away; by contrast I see and hold to your word

v.118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
    for their delusions come to nothing.
v.119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
    therefore I love your statutes.

v.120 I have a holy respect for you and for your laws

v.120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
    I stand in awe of your laws.

[Additional Comments: There is a contrast between the deceived and unstable world of the unbeliever and the stability and security that comes by adhering to God’s will. I reject the confused world [v.113] and take refuge from them in God and in His word [v.114]. Thus he rejects them [v.115] and looks to the Lord [v.116,117] for God rejects them [v.118.119] which makes him have a holy respect for God and His Law.]  

[16] Ayin  [Lord, I’m struggling to remain righteous, hold me in your word]

v.121,122 Preserve me for seeking to remain righteous

v.121 I have done what is righteous and just;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
v.122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
    do not let the arrogant oppress me.

v.123 I’m tired from seeking the outworking of your word

v.123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
    looking for your righteous promise.

v.124 Let your love continue to motivate you to teach me

v.124 Deal with your servant according to your love
    and teach me your decrees.

v.125 I want to serve you, teach me how through your laws

v.125 I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.

v.126 Lord you need to act because those around me are breaking your law

v.126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
    your law is being broken.

v.127,128 I esteem your laws more than anything else and so hate any wrong path

v.127 Because I love your commands
    more than gold, more than pure gold,
v.128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
    I hate every wrong path.

[Additional Comments: The psalmist still has opposition [v.121,122] but has sought to remain righteous [v.121a,123] holding right attitudes [v.122,125a,127,128], but recognizes he needs God’s help [v.121b,124,125,126]. The battle continues but he needs God’s help to remain true.]

[17] Pe [Lord, help me stand on your word with this disobedient people]

v.129-131 You laws are wonderful and I yearn more for them

v.129 Your statutes are wonderful;
    therefore I obey them.
v.130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.
v.131 I open my mouth and pant,
    longing for your commands.

v.132-135 Requests: I need you to act on my behalf

v.132 [i] Turn to me and [ii] have mercy on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.
v.133 [iii] Direct my footsteps according to your word;
    [iv] let no sin rule over me.
v.134 [v] Redeem me from human oppression,
    that I may obey your precepts.
v.135 [vi] Make your face shine on your servant
    and [vii] teach me your decrees.

v.136 I am in anguish because your Law is not followed

v.136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.

[Additional Comments: His understanding of God’s words bring joy to him [v.129-131] but they also bring in him a greater desire for the Lord to help him follow His word [v.132-135], especially with the awareness that around him, God’s word is not being obeyed [v.136]. He stands against the tide of unbelief around him.]

[18] Tsadhe [Lord, let your words continue to prevail against unbelief]

v.137,138 God’s words anchor righteousness in his life

v.137 You are righteous, Lord,
    and your laws are right.
v.138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
    they are fully trustworthy.

v.139 Yet he’s tired standing against the surrounding unbelief

v.139 My zeal wears me out,
    for my enemies ignore your words.

v.140,141 God’s words have stood the test so he’ll never forget them

v.140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
    and your servant loves them.
v.141 Though I am lowly and despised,
    I do not forget your precepts.

v.142 Righteousness and truth will prevail

v.142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.

v.143,144 In the face of distress His words are right and give him delight

v.143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.
v.144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding that I may live.

[Additional Comments: God’s word, ever before him, have helped him stand in the face of the pressures from others [v.141a, 143a]. They have been an anchor for him.]

[19] Qoph [Lord, my hope is still in your word, against the wicked]

v.145,146 He twice calls on God and twice affirms his faithfulness to His words

v.145 [i]I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.
v.146 [ii]I call out to you; save me
    and I will keep your statutes.

v.147,148 Day and night he battles on to keep to God’s word

v.147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
v.148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promises.

v.149,150 He calls for God’s help against the wicked

v.149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
v.150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
    but they are far from your law.

v.151,152 He will trust in God’s word that will last

v.151 Yet you are near, Lord,
    and all your commands are true.
v.152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
    that you established them to last for ever.

[Additional Comments: Still he maintains his confidence in God’s word against the wicked of the world. It is a battle but he will prevail.]

[20] Resh [Lord, preserve my life in the face of the opposition I face]

v.153,154 The battle continues and he still needs God’s help

v.153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
    for I have not forgotten your law.
v.154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
    preserve my life according to your promise.

v.155,156 he will remain distinct and still needs the Lord’s saving help

v.155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out your decrees.
v.156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
    preserve my life according to your laws.

v.157,158 He has had great opposition but he will remain true to God’s word

v.157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
    but I have not turned from your statutes.
v.158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
    for they do not obey your word.

v.159,160 His heart remains true so he calls for ongoing help

v.159 See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
v.160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

[Additional Comments: Every one of the first seven verses indicates something of the opposition he faces and three times he asks the Lord to preserve his life.

[21] Sin and Shin [Lord, opposition there may be, but I’ll still hold to your word]

v.161 Opposition comes right from the top

v.161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
    but my heart trembles at your word.

v.162 Yet I rejoice in what you have promised me and remain true to it

v.162 I rejoice in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.

v.163 Truth versus falsehood; no competition!

v.163 I hate and detest falsehood
    but I love your law.

v.164 I’ll keep on praising you for your word throughout the day

v.164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.

v.165 Your law brings peace and stability

v.165 Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.

v.166-168 I interact constantly with your word

v.166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
v.167 I obey your statutes,
    for I love them greatly.
v.168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
    for all my ways are known to you.

[Additional Comments: Opposition may come from rulers but the various forms of God’s word mean so much to the psalmist that he makes them the central focus in his life and will not be distracted from them.]

[22] Taw [Lord, here I am, answer me]

v.169-172 Prayers and requests

v.169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word.
v.170 May my supplication come before you;
    deliver me according to your promise.
v.171 May my lips overflow with praise,
    for you teach me your decrees.
v.172 May my tongue sing of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.

v.173 Trust in the Lord’s response

v.173 May your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.

v.174-176 Deliverance, life, and rescue

v.174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.
v.175 Let me live that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
v.176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten your commands.

[Additional Comments: Prayers for understanding, deliverance, teaching, and help [v.169-171,173], and a desire to live in the light of His word [v.174,175] rescued by the Lord like a shepherd finding His faithful sheep [v.176]. A stanza of trust and recognition of need.]

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