What God's word does to you.

March 25, 2021

 

Growing up, I did not take the Psalms seriously. Maybe it’s an old person thing but I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom and beauty in the Psalms. I think it’s because the Psalms, like poetry in general, is not something easily absorbed. You have to sit with it and take in its vast treasure.

 

For instance, the longest chapter in the Bible (number of verses) is Psalm 119. It is broken down into 22 stanzas (following the Hebrew alphabet in order) of eight verses each stanza. The incredible thing those 176 verses covers only ONE subject: God’s word.

 

Let me crack open one section. Psalm 119:9 starts, “How can young people keep their paths pure? By guarding them according to what you’ve said.” [CEB] There are several things I observe in this verse. The value of purity is an important part of our faith. The essential question is how does one keep the way they live life pure? The critical guard is to live according to the wisdom of God’s word (what God has said).

 

To do this one must follow the advice of the next verse: “I have sought you with all my heart. Don’t let me stray from any of your commandments!” [Psalm 119:10 CEB] It is important to make seeking God the desire of your heart. Anything other than that single focus could distract us. This single-minded focus avoids straying from God’s commandments. A command from someone else? That’s fighting words!

 

Another piece of advice for keeping our path pure is found in the next verse: “I keep your word close, in my heart, so that I won’t sin against you.” [Psalm 119:11 CEB] Those familiar with other translations recognize the idea of hidden or stored. Added to earnestly seeking God above all else, we now add knowing God’s word. Memorization is important, but as any educator will tell you rote memory is the foundation of greater understanding.

 

After a prayer for God to teach (v 12), there is a promise to teach others (v 13). Now we come to a bit of perspective. “I rejoice in the content of your laws as if I were rejoicing over great wealth.” [Psalm 119:14 CEB] The pursuit of “wealth” tends to drive society and some people. Here that drive is replace with the pursuit of understanding and applying the content of God’s law. What flows out of that pursuit is joy.

 

Getting back to the idea of what I started with: do the work… “I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.” [Psalm 119:15 NLT] Another way to say that is “meditate” [ESV] or simply “think about” [CEB]. I think the idea here is more work than a casual “think about” would suggest.

 

The stanza ends with this understanding, “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget what you have said.” [Psalm 119:16 CEB] When we put in the time and do the work of studying God’s word there is a high degree of pleasure and joy that is enjoyed. Let’s not confine this joy to the professional (pastor or theologian).

 

I think we see the stanza moving us through three phases. First, we search for purity. We understand purity can only be found in obedience to God’s word. Second, having earnestly studied God’s word we begin to find something deeper than just purity in our walk. Finally, as we find the One who has spoken we are completely in love with Him. Or as Peter put it, “Although you’ve never seen him, you love him. Even though you don’t see him now, you trust him and so rejoice with a glorious joy that is too much for words. You are receiving the goal of your faith: your salvation.” [1 Peter 1:8 CEB]