“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).
With one hundred seventy-six verses, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. From beginning to end, it is focused on a single theme – the word of God. The psalm teaches us what the word of God is, what it does for us, and what it requires of us.
It would not be possible to cover everything in this psalm in one article.* Instead, in this article we are going to notice some of the highlights from this psalm to help deepen our understanding and strengthen our appreciation for the word of God. Each of these points is just as true today as when the psalm was originally written.
What the Word of God Is
It is God’s law – “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1). When we look at the Scriptures, we are seeing a message that originated with God. Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16), and Peter explained that this message was revealed as “men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21). As His law, rather than man’s law, it is the standard for us to follow [we will discuss this point further toward the end of the article].
It is settled – “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). The word “settled” in this verse means to stand firm. In other words, this was put in place by God and will not be moved. Isaiah said, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8; cf. 1 Peter 1:25). God is able to establish His word forever because it is timeless and will never become irrelevant for us.
It is our guide – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). God’s word shows us the direction we are to go in this life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described two paths we could take in this life – a broad way that leads to destruction and a narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). His word has been given to guide us down that narrow way. Similarly, if we are on the wrong path, it exposes that error and warns us about the direction we are headed.
It is truth – “The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting” (Psalm 119:160). The Scriptures show us the way that is right and cannot be wrong. The reason why it cannot be wrong because it is from God “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). As the psalmist said, the “sum” of it is true. “All Scripture” (2 Timothy 3:16) in its entirety is right; therefore, we need to accept all of it.
What the Word of God Does for Us
It keeps us from sin – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. […] Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9, 11). God’s word is able to keep us from sin because it shows us what sin is. Paul explained, “I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’” (Romans 7:7). However, for the word of God to do this for us, it must be “treasured in [our] heart.” Or, as James said, it must be “implanted” in us (James 1:21).
It revives us – “My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word. […] Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me through Your righteousness. […] This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me” (Psalm 119:25, 40, 50). The word of God gives us life. When we are afflicted with “grief,” we are able to gain strength from His word (Psalm 119:28). Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica that the promises of God were able to provide comfort, even in the face of death (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Peter confessed that Jesus had “words of eternal life” (John 6:68), and we can find these words in the Scriptures.
It gives wisdom and understanding – “Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts” (Psalm 119:98-100). The psalmist described how God’s word had enabled him to advance beyond his teachers and the aged – those who would generally be wiser than he would be. Through the word of God, we can excel beyond worldly wisdom “because the foolishness of God is wiser than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Yet we can only take advantage of this benefit if we embrace God’s word, meditate upon it, and observe it, just as the psalmist did.
It saves us – “Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes. […] I hope for Your salvation, O Lord, and do Your commandments. […] I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight” (Psalm 119:155, 166, 174). Today, we have “the gospel” which is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). If we reject the gospel, we have no hope of salvation (2 Thessalonians 1:8); yet if we follow it, we can be saved.
What the Word of God Requires of Us
We must love God’s word – “Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it” (Psalm 119:140). Because God’s word is “pure” – tested and refined (cf. Proverbs 30:5-6) – we are to cherish it. This is about more than just knowing what God’s word is and does. This is about appreciation and gratitude for the word that He has revealed to us.
We must hate every false way – “From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104). As the psalmist said, this must be based upon our “understanding” of God’s word. Why should we “hate” what is false? It is because sin and error will cause people to be lost (cf. Romans 6:23; Galatians 1:6-9).
We must keep God’s commandments – “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it” (Psalm 119:33-35). God’s word is the standard that we are to follow and He expects us to obey it. Later, the psalmist said he “observes” God’s commandments because they are “wonderful” (Psalm 119:129). However, when it comes to keeping God’s commandments, we need to recognize this as an urgent matter, not something that can be done whenever it is “convenient” for us. The psalmist also said, “I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments” (Psalm 119:60). When the Philippian jailer heard the gospel, he was baptized “that very hour of the night” (Acts 16:33). Once we know what the word of God teaches us to do, we simply need to do it without putting it off.
We must praise the Lord – “Let my lips utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes. Let my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:171-172). We are to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” (Hebrews 13:15). While there are many reasons to praise God, the fact that He has given us His word so that we can know about Him and how to please Him is an important one. The psalmist said, “Seven times a day I praise You” (Psalm 119:164). While the specific number is not necessarily the point, this emphasizes the need to praise Him regularly, consistently, and personally.
Conclusion
The psalmist loved God’s law and meditated on it. Why? Because of what it is and what it does. Knowing this, we should also love and meditate on God’s word, and then also do what it requires us to do.
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* For a more in-depth study of Psalm 119, check out The Psalm of the Word. The series may be freely viewed online. The whole study is also available in paperback in a single volume.
