Complete Devotion To God's Word

Psalm 119:121-136

Our psalm selection this week is from Psalm 119, which is the longest psalm, as well as the longest chapter in the Bible.  Psalm 119 is also one of several alphabetical acrostic psalms.  In this psalm there are 22 sets of eight verses, each set beginning with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  The theme of this grand psalm is the Word of God.  Every verse, except for three (vs. 84, 121, and 122) mention it.  Seven synonyms are used through this psalm for the Word of God - law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, and word.

The unknown author of this psalm was absolutely and totally devoted to God’s Word.  Even a quick, cursory reading will show this.  Let’s look at some of the verses in this portion of the psalm.  One thing we see in this passage, and throughout the psalm, is that our author is greatly bothered by those who do not read, follow, or obey God’s Word.  We see this in both verses 126, 128, and 136.  There are those who do not believe that the Bible is God’s Word.  They feel that it’s words are just that - words, empty words that don’t carry any weight and are of no importance.  There were people like that back in the psalmist’s day, and there certainly are many today.  Our psalmist friend calls on God to act, and not let these non-believers have their way (vs. 126).  He is determined that he will not follow down their wrong path (vs. 128).

The psalmist asked Yahweh to teach him to be able to understand His Word in the Bible.  He did not want to read his Bible with no understanding as to what he read, for the words to go in one ear and out the other.  In verses 124 and 125 he asks God to teach him and give him understanding when reading the Bible.  When we, too, read the Bible, we should pray for discernment to understand what we’re reading.  Then when the Lord has given us understanding we need to apply that Word to our daily life.

When we apply ourself to studying His Word, that Word will bring light to our life (vs. 130).  So many people today have darkness in their life.  The Bible says very plainly that we are either children of the Light, children of God, or we are children of the darkness, of the devil.  Following God will bring light to our life.  Turning to Him brings us hope out of despair, and peace from turmoil.  Just as our psalmist friend did, we should pray before we open God’s Word that He will enlighten us and give us understanding.

In verse 131 we read that our psalmist is panting for God’s Word.  I picture someone out in the hot sun, maybe having worked hard, or maybe participating in sports in the blazing sun.  They are hot and thirsty, panting for water.  When they get some cold water, what do they do?  Take just a sip?  No, they eagerly swallow down gulps.  Or someone who is out of breath, maybe having been trapped for awhile in a small, tight closet.  When they get out they pant and eagerly take deep breaths.  That is how our psalmist is for God’s Word, he wants to grab for all that he can get.

The final verse in our passage describes our author’s emotions over the lost and unsaved, those who do not follow God’s Word (vs. 136).  He is so broken over them that he weeps, and not just a little, but as he describes it, he weeps rivers of tears.  How do we feel about the lost?  Unfortunately for many people, they just don’t give a second thought for the lost and unsaved.  They don’t think about them at all.  Perhaps they feel that everyone’s faith is their own business and they should leave them alone.  Jesus cared about the lost so much that He came to die for them.  The apostles cared enough to give up their jobs, homes, and safety to go bring the Gospel to reach the lost.  The psalmist here cries when he thinks of the people who do not believe God’s Word and thus, are bound for hell.  Not everyone is able to go out and actually spread the Gospel message of Jesus, but we all can pray and show deep concern and heartache for the lost.

Our verses for today were just a small portion of this extraordinary psalm.  As I read through the whole of Psalm 119 I have to ask myself if my devotion to God’s Word is anywhere near to that of the unknown believer who penned this psalm.  The Bible is God’s personal message to each of us, and we should love and treasure it like we would a love letter from one who adores us, as that is exactly what it is.