Psalm 119:38

(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.)

 

"Establish Your word to Your servant,

As that which produces reverence for You."

 

Long one of my memory verses, I trust Your word to produce godly character in my life.  ‘Establish’ is the Hebrew קוּם, qûm: A verb meaning to arise, to stand, to stand up.  It can mean to establish or strengthen (Psalm 119:28).  I think immediately of ‘show Yourself strong’ in Psalm 68:28.  So here, I read ‘show Your word strong’.  ‘Produces reverence’ is the Hebrew יִרְאָה, yir’āh: A feminine noun meaning fear. The word usually refers to the fear of God and is viewed as a positive quality.  Father, may the work of Your word in my life produce compelling fruit of Your character and wisdom.

 

‘Make me sure of thy sure word: make it sure to me and make me sure of it… Practical holiness is a great help towards doctrinal certainty: if we are God's servants he will confirm his word in our experience. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine”; and so know it as to be fully assured of it… “Stablish thy word to thy fear,” namely, that men may be led to fear thee; since a sure faith in the divine promise is the fountain and foundation of godly fear… We cannot look for the fulfilment of promises in our experience unless we live under the influence of the fear of the Lord: establishment in grace is the result of holy watchfulness and prayerful energy. We shall never be rooted and grounded in our belief unless we daily practise what we profess to believe. Full assurance is the reward of obedience.’[1]


[1] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:38, e-Sword edition


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