Psalm 119:12

(This is an entry from a devotional commentary I am working on from Psalm 119 entitled God and His Word.  The introduction can be found here, successive entries have covered the 22 sections of the Psalm, and following entries verse by verse.)

 

"Blessed are You, O LORD;

Teach me Your statutes."

 

Having committed his heart to Your word, the Psalmist’s heart is naturally raised in worship.  It has been said that the depths of knowledge of Your word determine the heights of our worship,  I am simply in awe of the power, perfection, and beauty of Your word!  The Psalmist not only blesses You (Psalm 103:1-2), but desires more of You (Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1).  ‘Blessed’ is the Hebrew בָּרַךּ bāraḵ: A verb meaning to bless, kneel, salute, or greet. The verb  derives from the noun knee and perhaps suggests the bending of the knee in blessing.  ‘Teach’ is the Hebrew לָמַד lāmaḏ: A verb meaning to learn, to study, to teach, to be taught, to be learned. The verb describes learning war, training for war, the lack of training (Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3), or the acquisition of instruction (Isa 29:24).  It is clearly a training word.  We see this sentiment expressed strongly in Psalm 119 from a man who wishes more than knowledge, but a changed heart (Psalm 119:2), intimate relationship (Psalm 119:10, Psalm 119:151), and a holy life (Psalm 119:5, Psalm 119:33).

 

‘These are words of adoration arising out of an intense admiration of the divine character, which the writer is humbly aiming to imitate. He blesses God for all that he has revealed to him, and wrought in him; he praises him with warmth of reverent love, and depth of holy wonder… It is as if David had said - I see that in conformity to thyself my way to happiness must lie, for thou art supremely blessed; and if I am made in my measure like to thee in holiness, I shall also partake in thy blessedness… who would not wish to enter the school of such a Master to learn of him the art of holy living? To this Instructor we must submit ourselves if we would practically keep the statutes of righteousness. The King who ordained the statutes knows best their meaning, and as they are the outcome of his own nature he can best inspire us with their spirit… If we know the Lord's statutes we have the most essential education.’[1]


[1] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:12, e-Sword edition


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