Psalm 119:60

(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.)

 

"I hastened and did not delay

To keep Your commandments."

 

Having sought Your favor (Psalm 119:58), considered his ways, and turned toward Your testimonies (Psalm 119:59), the Psalmist now takes action to obey swiftly.  We understand that the blessing is in the doing.  Psalm 1:1-2, Matthew 7:24-27, James 1:25, John 13:17, 14:21, Psalm 111:10.  As is often said by parents, ‘delayed obedience is not obedience’.  We don’t have other things to do before or in preparation for obedience, as important as we think those things may be (Luke 8:21, 10:42).   You are my King, and obedience is not only not optional, but it is the best possible option!  How favorable You are to me!  Continuing in the context of the Psalm, this resolution is necessary to avoid the cords of the wicked.

 

‘Speed in repentance and speed in obedience are two excellent things. We are too often in haste to sin; O that we may be in a greater hurry to obey. Delay in sin is increase of sin… we are eager to make up for lost time by dashing forward to fulfil the precept… Many are zealous to obey custom and society, and yet they are slack in serving God. It is a crying shame that men should be served post-haste, and that God's work should have the go-by, or be performed with dreamy negligence.’[1]


[1] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:60, e-Sword edition


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