In His Grip

Qoph. I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will observe Your statutes. [146] I cried to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies. [147] I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. [148] My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word. [149] Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances. [150] Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from Your law. [151] You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth. [152] Of old I have known from Your testimonies That You have founded them forever."   (Psalm 119:145-152)   The sacrificial cry here is echoed in Proverbs 2:1-5, particularly v.3.   Note the sacrifice of heart (v. 145), desperate need (v. 146), and sleep (v. 147) due to the anticipated benefit (v. 148).   The Psalmist would be revived (v. 149), protected (vv. 150-151), and grounded (v...

Tsadhe. Righteous are You, O LORD, And upright are Your judgments. [138] You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness. [139] My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words. [140] Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. [141] I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. [142] Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. [143] Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight. [144] Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live."   (Psalm 119:137-144)   Righteous (vv. 137-138, 142, 144), exceedingly faithful (v. 138), pure (v. 140), everlasting (vv. 142, 144), truth (v. 142), a delight (v. 143) are You and Your word.   As You are, so is Your word (Psalm 138:2), so is Your praise (Psalm 48:10, Psalm 119:48).   Because of this reality, ze...

"Pe. Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. [130] The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. [131] I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. [132] Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Your manner with those who love Your name. [133] Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. [134] Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. [135] Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. [136] My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law."   (Psalm 119:129-136)   This is certainly for the overwhelmed.   I need understanding, satisfaction, grace, freedom, and favor - and all are found in You.   Your word is the only thing we can gorge ourselves on and still be healthy - in fact, the more You fill us, the healthier we are! ...

"Ayin. I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors. [122] Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me. [123] My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation And for Your righteous word. [124] Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness And teach me Your statutes. [125] I am Your servant; give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies. [126] It is time for the LORD to act, For they have broken Your law. [127] Therefore I love Your commandments Above gold, yes, above fine gold. [128] Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way."   (Psalm 119:121-128)   Our doing is all of Your doing through Your word (see also Isaiah 26:12, 1 Corinthians 1:30, James 1:18).   The Psalmist has done righteousness and justice, seeking Your protection, knowing that Your enemies are his enemies (vv. 121-122).   He knows ...

"Samekh. I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law. [114] You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. [115] Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God. [116] Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. [117] Uphold me that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually. [118] You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless. [119] You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies. [120] My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments."   (Psalms 119:113-120)   So much distracts within and without:   the double-minded (v. 113), evildoers (v. 115), inner shame (v. 116), inner fear (v. 117), the deceitfulness of those who wander (v. 118).   Yet this recognition leads to both restrai...

"Nun. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. [106] I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. [107] I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. [108] O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your ordinances. [109] My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. [110] The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts. [111] I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart. [112] I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, even to the end."   (Psalm 119:105-112)   No sooner had the Psalmist recognized the light of Your word (v. 105) and resolved to follow it (v. 106) than that resolve was severely tested through inner affliction (v. 107) outward danger (v. 109) and the snares of the wicked (v. 110).   The light grew dim for hi...

"Mem. O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. [98] Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. [99] I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. [100] I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. [101] I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. [102] I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. [103] How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! [104] From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way."   (Psalms 119:97-104)   As one committed to the continual counsel of Your word (see Psalm 119:24), the Psalmist loved it and experienced its immense benefits on earth: 1) Wisdom above his enemies because he held it close (v. 98), 2) Insight above his teachers because of his meditation (v. 99), and 3) u...