My Soul Glorifies The Lord – Psalm 119:169-176

ת TAU [1]

“Let my cry come before You, O Lord. Give me understanding according to Your Word. Let my supplication come before You. Deliver me according to Your Word.” Psalm 119:169-170

David wanted God’s attention and help. His request was emphatic: “Let my cry” and “Let my supplication come before You!” His prayer was a cry. His need was urgent. His voice was full of emotion. He was humble. He approached God as a poor man coming to a great man’s door to plea for help. He checked all his options. His only hope for rescue was God’s mercy.

David desired that nothing would stand between him and the Lord—that no guilt, sin, or spiritual weakness would prevent his prayers from being accepted. He based his hope for resolution of his problems on the promises of God. [2]

David asked for wisdom. “Give me understanding.” He asked God for deliverance from his troubles. “Deliver me.” [3] He was certain that God would provide a way forward where there seemed to be no way. His confidence was based on God’s Word.

David knew that his prayer agreed with God’s Word. God would answer him. His confidence was based on God’s character. God is generous and always keeps His promises. [4]

“My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes.” Psalm 119:171

David praised God for taking him under His wing and teaching him His statutes. To have God as your mentor and instructor is a great privilege. [5] When God opens our understanding, changes our hearts, and instructs us how to emulate Him, we should praise Him. If we are not praising God, then, something is amiss. We should always thank and praise God for His revelations to us.

“My tongue shall speak of Your Word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.” Psalm 119:172

God’s Word is the perfect standard and measure of what is right and good. [6] It reveals to us the right way to live. David shared God’s righteous commandments with others.

“My tongue shall speak of Your Word.” David glorified God. He praised God privately, and spoke for God publicly. [7] He wanted truth to have a voice and a face in his generation. He wanted others to experience the joy of glorifying the Lord.

“Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your Law is my delight.” Psalm 119:173-174

“Let Your hand help me.” David recognized that his strength was insufficient to put into practice God’s mandates and Law. Though he chose God’s mandates and delighted in His Law, he needed God’s Spirit to empower him to obey God. [8]

In Romans 7:15-8:11, Paul wrote of how he knew what was right to do, but his flesh did not want to do it. The solution to overcoming his flesh was to have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead to live in and live through him.

David longed for the Lord’s salvation. Although God made him a king, he did not allow kingly glory to become his first love. He looked beyond his kingship to the everlasting King of kings.

David experienced joy while obeying God’s Law. He wrote, “Your Law is my delight.” He did not reluctantly obey God’s law—he loved it and found it perfectly satisfying. [9]

“Let my soul live, and it shall praise You. And let Your judgments help me.” Psalm 119:175

David’s greatest desire was not to serve his own interests, or accomplish his own plans. He asked God to preserve his soul so that he could keep on praising Him. [10] Praising God forevermore is what we will want to do once our soul enters God’s eternal kingdom.

When David prayed, “Let my soul live,” he wanted God to continue sanctifying, strengthening, and comforting his soul. True life is found in a heart that is made holy and filled with God’s peace. Our souls were created to praise God, and we should ask Him to give us the will and pleasure to do so. [11]

David prayed, “Let Your judgments help me.” In Revelation 6:9-10, those who had been slain for the Word of God, cried to God, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” God’s judgments are aimed at those who mistreat people. He judges the world in righteousness.

In Isaiah 57:1, it is written, “The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.”

“I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.” Psalm 119:176

Although David went astray, he did not forget God’s commandments. His failure was not a rejection of God’s ways. His heart still loved God’s truth. He desired to return to obedience. Thus, he humbly confessed his failures and appealed to God for mercy. [12]

When we stray from God, we lose the joy and peace that come from knowing that He is near to us. We also expose ourselves to danger. Thus, David prayed, “Seek Your servant.” David’s final words remind us that our hope is not in our own perfection, but in the faithfulness and mercy of the Shepherd who seeks us His wandering sheep. [13]


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 169–176 start with the ת TAU, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through from the first letter to the final letter, Tau (ת).

תִּקְרַ֤ב רִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֣יךָ יְהוָ֑ה כִּדְבָרְךָ֥ הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃
תָּב֣וֹא תְּחִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ כְּ֝אִמְרָתְךָ֗ הַצִּילֵֽנִי׃
תַּבַּ֣עְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י תְּהִלָּ֑ה כִּ֖י תְלַמְּדֵ֣נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
תַּ֣עַן לְ֭שׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י כָל־מִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ צֶּֽדֶק׃
תְּהִֽי־יָדְךָ֥ לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃
תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וְ֝תֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃
תְּֽחִי־נַ֭פְשִׁי וּֽתְהַֽלְלֶ֑ךָּ וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ יַעֲזְרֻֽנִי׃
תָּעִ֗יתִי כְּשֶׂ֣ה אֹ֭בֵד בַּקֵּ֣שׁ עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֥י מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, ת TAU was originally the symbol for good.

[2-13] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

I Love Truth – Psalm 119:161-168

ש SHIN [1]

“Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your Word.” Psalm 119:161

These princes must have perceived David as a threat. In 1 Samuel 26:19, David said to his king, “Let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’” [2]

Persecution is especially difficult when those in authority are the persecutors. I faced a similar dilemma in a communist country when I needed law enforcers to defend me. I did not ask for their help because they hated Christians. Politicians and law enforcers should use their God given authority to honor God and protect His people. Oh, if only the hearts of all world leaders would stand in awe of God’s Word! Oh, that’s right, one day they will.

These rulers persecuted David without a just cause. He had not done anything to deserve their hatred or punishment. Although they wanted him to fear them and obey their demands, David declared to God, “My heart stands in awe of Your Word.” His greatest concern was not pleasing powerful people but remaining faithful to God. [3]

Disciples of Jesus, take His Word seriously. In Luke 12:4-5, Jesus says to us, “My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell. Yes, I say to you, fear Him!” The one to fear above all others is God.

“I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure.” Psalm 119:162

David was thankful that Israel had been blessed with light from above. The nations around Israel were spiritually dark places to live. David rejoiced that God had allowed him to understand His Word and experience its power working in his life.

David compared his joy in God’s Word to the joy of a treasure finder. Jesus described the kingdom of heaven with similar words to David’s in Matthew 13:44-46, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Joy often comes after overcoming struggles and opposition to God’s Word. [4] The joy of the Lord is a great treasure. According Nehemiah 8:10, the joy of the Lord is our strength.

“I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your Law.” Psalm 119:163

What did David hate and what did he love?

Lying includes any form of deception, such as hypocrisy, false teaching, broken promises, dishonesty in business, and untruthfulness in our conversations. A person who loves God abstains from lying, because among the six things that He hates in Proverbs 6:16-19, “a lying tongue” and “a false witness that speaks lies” are two of the six things that God hates.

David’s love for God’s Law motivated him to loathe lying. Lies are completely contrary to God’s nature and His will. A heart that loves truth rejects lies. [4]

In John 8:44, Jesus described the devil as being a murderer, void of truth, a liar and the father of lies. In 1 John 2:22, the apostle John described the antichrist as a liar. He wrote, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

When leaders tell lies, when the press supports lies, and when people believe lies, we should fall to our knees and cry out to God to save our nation from being taken over by the devil.

“Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:164

David praised God seven times per day because God judged him with righteous judgment. God was not like the princes who persecuted David. God was gracious and kind to him. [5] The princes were proud bullies. They persecuted the poor and lowly, especially those who stood up for God. They were up to no good. That’s why they didn’t like David and wanted him silenced.

“Great peace have those who love Your Law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalm 119:165

Why do the lovers of God’s Law not stumble? Because God’s Law helps them to see stumbling blocks and avoid them. In Luke 11:34, Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.” Good eyes, eyes full of God’s light, can see clearly what is before them.

In Isaiah 32:17, the Lord says, “The work of righteousness shall be peace.” Walking in harmony with God’s Law yields peace because God’s Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you are obeying God. According to Romans 8:28, God makes all things work out for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose. [6]

“Lord, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments.” Psalm 119:166

David addressed God as Lord. A servant obeys his Lord. David’s hope in God compelled him to obey God’s commandments. He sincerely sought to align his life with God’s will in every area. In Revelation 22:14, it is written, “Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life.”

“My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.” Psalm 119:167-168

David’s conscience confirmed that his motivations and actions were right before God. God sees both the rights and wrongs that we do. In Genesis 17:1, God told Abraham, “Walk before me, and be perfect.” When we are cognizant that God’s eyes are upon us, we tend to be more careful to honor Him. [7] When we sin, we ask God to forgive us, and to expunge our breaking of His Law from His record book. In Acts 3:19, Peter told sinners, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”

David loved God’s testimonies “exceedingly.” Our love for God and His testimonies should exceed our love for every other type of testimony or creature. When we love God supremely, it is a sign that our priorities are well set.


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 161–168 start with the ש SHIN, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

שָׂ֭רִים רְדָפ֣וּנִי חִיָּ֑ם ׳וּמִדְּבָרֶיךָ׳ ״וּ֝מִדְּבָרְךָ֗״ פָּחַ֥ד לִבִּֽי׃
שָׂ֣שׂ אָ֭נָכַלִֽי עַל־אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כְּ֝מוֹצֵ֗א שָׁלָ֥ל רָֽב׃
שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂ֭אתִי וַאֲתַעֵ֑בָה תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃
שֶׁ֣בַל בַּ֭יּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּ֑יךָ עַ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
שָׁל֣ו רָ֭ב לְאֹהֲבֵ֣י תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ וְאֵֽילָ֥מוֹ מִכְשֽׁוֹל׃
שִׂבַּ֣רְתִּי לִֽישׁוּעָתָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וּֽמִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ עָשִֽׂיתִי׃
שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וָאֹהֲבֵ֥ם מְאֹֽד׃
שָׁמַ֣רְתִּי פִ֭קּוּדֶיךָ וְעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י כָל־דְּרָכַ֣י נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, ש SHIN was originally the symbol for tooth.

[2-7] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Revive Me – Psalm 119:153-160

ר RESH [1]

“Consider my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your Law.” Psalm 119:153

What do you want God to do with your affliction? Consider it and deliver you from it. In Hebrews 4:15, we read, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Our High Priest is Jesus Christ. He was whipped, beaten, spit on, mocked and crucified. Isaiah 52:14 says of Jesus, “His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Amidst His sufferings, Jesus did not forget God’s Law. He remembered to forgive His enemies and to pray for them. In Luke 23:34, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

“Plead my cause and redeem me. Revive me according to Your Word.” Psalm 119:154

Psalm 119:154 is applicable to Jesus Christ. In Matthew 27:46, Jesus asked, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He wanted His Father to plead His cause. But first, Jesus had to die for our sins. Three days later, He was revived according to God’s Word, or as Romans 6:4 says, “Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father.”

David also asked God to defend him as a legal advocate would do in a court of law. [2] His cause was right. His enemies suborned false witnesses to falsely accuse him. He asked God to bear witness to his innocence and “redeem” him from all charges levied against him.

David asked God to revive him with His Word. In John 6:63, Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” In Hebrews 4:12, it is written, “The Word of God is living and powerful...”

“Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes.” Psalm 119:155

The Hebrew word for “wicked” in the above verse is rasha (רָשָׁע). Rasha carries the legal and forensic meaning of being guilty or condemned in a judgment setting. Rasha describes someone who is legally in the wrong—a “guilty one” who stands condemned before a judge. It is the legal opposite of the righteous person (tzaddik, צַדִּיק). Just as a tzaddik is someone who is vindicated or in the right, a rasha is someone who has been found guilty of a crime.

Wicked people cannot give what they do not have. Only the Savior saves. God’s statutes are God’s statutes. The wicked being void of God, cannot produce what God expects from them. The world may deem the wicked worth their weight in gold, but God condemns them. They will be shut out from heaven unless they repent. Faith in the shed blood of Christ for the remission of sin is the remedy. A personal relationship with God is necessary to enter His kingdom.

At the same time that salvation is far from the wicked, judgment is drawing near to them. In Hebrews 9:27, it is written, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” In James 5:9, it is written, “Behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” [3]

“Great are Your tender mercies. O Lord, revive me according to Your judgments.” Psalm 119:156

God’s mercies are tender because He is compassionate. God is rich in mercy toward everyone who calls on His Name. [4] His grace is sufficient to save the wicked. In Romans 5:20, it is written, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” God has more grace than we have sin, but each of us needs to ask Him to forgive and save us.

“Many are my persecutors and my enemies, yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.” Psalm 119:157

In 1 Samuel 18:23, David said to others about himself, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man?” After King Saul gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to David, he tried to kill him. King Saul used his nation’s army to pursue David. God’s Word helped David to trust God for victory over his evil father-in-law.

What was David’s strong point? He loved God’s testimonies. He failed God and others in some areas, but he constantly meditated on God’s Word. God loved this quality about David.

In John 15:21, Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” In Mark 10:20, a man declared to Jesus that he had kept God’s commandments since he was a boy. In Mark 10:21, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.”

David’s life is a metaphor for Christ and His Church. Just as David had enemies, so do Christ and His followers. Nevertheless, we, the people of God, have many testimonies. [5]

I like the testimony of David Wilkerson. David told Nikki Cruz about Jesus. Nikki was the leader of a violent gang. Nikki spit at David, slapped him, and threatened to kill him. David told him, “Jesus loves you Nikki Cruz.” Nikki was full of bitterness and hatred, but Christ’s unconditional love via David Wilkerson got the best of Nikki Cruz. Nikki believed in Jesus Christ and became a world renowned evangelist afterwards.

“I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, because they do not keep Your Word.” Psalm 119:158

David was grieved that the wicked made every effort to turn people away from God. What did they offer them? Shameful works of darkness, and cruel examples of how to treat others!

“Consider how I love Your precepts. Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.” Psalm 119:159

In Psalm 119:154, David asked God to revive him according to His Word. In Psalm 119:156, David asked God to revive him according to His judgments. In Psalm 119:159, David asked God to revive him according to His lovingkindness. David wanted to live in accordance with God’s Word, His judgments and His lovingkindness. He repeatedly expressed this desire before God.

“The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Psalm 119:160

Ever since God first revealed Himself to humanity, everything He has said has been true. God is not like governments that propagate lies yet swear they are telling the truth. [6] In John 14:6, Jesus claimed to be the truth personified. In John 18:37, Jesus told Pontus Pilate. “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

David declared that everyone of God’s righteous judgments endures forever. Psalm 96:13 says of the Lord, “He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.” Revelation 19:11 says of Christ, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 153–160 start with the ר RESH, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

רְאֵֽה־עָנְיִ֥י וְחַלְּצֵ֑נִי כִּי־תֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
רִיבָ֣ה רִ֭יבִי וּגְאָלֵ֑נִי לְאִמְרָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
רָח֣וֹק מֵרְשָׁעִ֣ים יְשׁוּעָ֑ה כִּֽי־חֻ֝קֶּיךָ לֹ֣א דָרָֽשׁוּ׃
רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ רַבִּ֥ים׀ יְהוָ֑ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
רַ֭בִּים רֹדְפַ֣י וְצָרָ֑י מֵ֝עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃
רָאִ֣יתִי בֹ֭גְדִים וָֽאֶתְקוֹטָ֑טָה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִ֝מְרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃
רְ֭אֵה כִּי־פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ אָהָ֑בְתִּי יְ֝הוָ֗ה כְּֽחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
רֹאשׁ־דְּבָרְךָ֥ אֱמֶ֑ת וּ֝לְעוֹלָ֗ם כָּל־מִשְׁפַּ֥ט צִדְקֶֽךָ׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, ר RESH was originally the symbol for head.

[2-6] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Our Burden Lifting God – Psalm 119:145-152

ק QOPH [1]

“I cry out with my whole heart. Hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes. I cry out to You. Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.” Psalm 119:145-146

David cried out to the Lord with his whole heart. In James 5:17, we read that “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed EARNESTLY that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.” Then, in 1 Kings 18:42-45, Elijah prayed EARNESTLY for the rain to return. He “bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees.” After he prayed, he sent his servant to “look toward the sea” for a sign of rain. “It came to pass the seventh time, that he [his servant] said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!’” After “that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain.” Elijah watched and prayed. When his first through sixth prayer yielded no tangible result, he prayed one more time, then, the little cloud appeared and he knew his prayer was answered.

David expected God to answer. He did not simply pray and walk away. He watched for God’s response. [2] In Mark 13:31 and in Luke 23:49, Jesus taught us to watch and pray.

David directed his prayers to God. Just as a child naturally turns to his father when he is in need, we should turn to our heavenly Father when we are in need. [3]

Amidst asking God for mercy, David promised to keep His statutes and testimonies. In essence, he prayed, “Save me from my sins, my corrupt desires, my temptations, and every obstacle that keeps me from obeying You, so that I may keep Your testimonies.” Proverbs 28:9 states, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination.” [4] David, like us, needed God’s prevenient grace, His saving grace and His sanctifying grace to obey God.

“I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help. I hope in Your Word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your Word.” Psalm 119:147-148

The Bible and prayer were God’s pipeline to resource David with help, hope and health. His soul, like a thirsty infant, desired to feed on communion with God day and night. God’s Word teaches us what to pray for and how to pray according to His will.

Martin Luther often emphasized that heavy responsibilities required deeper reliance on prayer rather than less. He is quoted as saying, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”

When I served with Revival Christian Church in Hong Kong, Pastor Dennis Balcombe urged all church staff and associated missionaries to spend one hour per day in prayer. He had recently read the book by Dick Eastman entitled, “The Hour That Changes the World.” In this book, there are numerous testimonies of answered prayers. The Holy Spirit convicted and inspired me to adopt the one-hour-per-day prayer habit. The longer I lingered with the Lord, the more prayer concerns He gave to me. I did not run out of things to pray about. Nowadays, I break my hour into segments between morning, noon and night. At least one of my prayer times per day is a prayer walk where I walk 1-2 miles and pray as I walk. My wife often joins me on these walks.

Prayer is a burden lifter not a burden giver. In Psalm 55:22, David prayed, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Job’s faith in God was severely tested by Satan. The devil stole his belongings and attempted to assassinate his witness for God. How did Job outlast all the trials sent against him? In Job 23:12, he declared, “I have esteemed the words of His [God’s] mouth more than my necessary food.” His desire for fellowship with God was greater than his desire for comfort.

No matter how busy he was, David made time for God. Being king, he had many responsibilities, yet he did not neglect private prayer. If necessary, he gave up some sleep rather than neglect his time with God. This teaches us that communion with God is worth every sacrifice. [5]

There is also great comfort in knowing that we can pray at any hour. We never come to God at an inconvenient time. Unlike the false god Baal, who was imagined to sleep, the God of Israel never slumbers. His throne of grace is always open, and we may come to Him with confidence whenever we are in need. [6]

“Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness. O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.” Psalm 119:149

David knows he is speaking to God Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. He wants God to respond to request according to His love. He is like an empty cup asking God to fill him. Spiritual strength is not self-manufactured. Spiritual strength is received as a gift from God to us.

“They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from Your Law. You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.” Psalm 199:150-151

David’s life was in danger. His enemies were closing in on him. In 1 Samuel 20:3, David said, “There is but a step between me and death.” [7] His enemies had no regard for God’s law of love. They were unreasonable. They enjoyed afflicting pain and death on God’s people.

All God’s commandments are truth. David’s enemies assumed they could sabotage his faith by lying to him and about him. They set stumbling blocks before him so that he would fall and his friends would forsake him. They did not play by the golden rule of doing unto others as you would have them to do unto you.

“Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.” Psalm 119:152

God Himself has established His testimonies to last forever. Even when heaven and earth pass away, every testimony of God will remain. David knew God’s testimonies are true because he had seen them work in his own life. [8]

Everyone who has sincerely walked with God and placed their trust in Him can testify to the truth that God is always faithful. His Word is trustworthy. [9]


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 145–152 start with the ק QOPH, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

קָרָ֣אתִי בְכָל־לֵ֭ב עֲנֵ֥נִי יְהוָ֗ה חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶצֹּֽרָה׃
קְרָאתִ֥יךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
קִדַּ֣מְתִּי בַ֭נֶּשֶׁף וָאֲשַׁוֵּ֑עָה ׳לִדְבָרֶיךָ׳ ״לִדְבָרְךָ֥״ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
קִדְּמ֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת לָ֝שִׂ֗יחַ בְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃
ק֭וֹלִי שִׁמְעָ֣ה כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ יְ֝הוָ֗ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
קָ֭רְבוּ רֹדְפֵ֣י זִמָּ֑ה מִתּוֹרָתְךָ֥ רָחָֽקוּ׃
קָר֣וֹב אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְֽכָל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמֶֽת׃
קֶ֣דֶם יָ֭דַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְסַדְתָּֽם׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, ק QOPH was originally the symbol for monkey.

[2-9] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Transformed By Knowing God – Psalm 119:137-144

צ TSADDE [1]

“Righteous are You, O Lord, and upright are Your judgments. Your testimonies, which You have commanded, are righteous and very faithful.” Psalm 119:137-138

God is righteous by nature. He is exactly what He ought to be. Everything He does is consistent with His perfect goodness. There is nothing lacking or wrong in Him. He is the eternal standard of what is right. [2] In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses wrote, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect. For all His ways are justice. A God of truth and without injustice! Righteous and upright is He.”

God’s testimonies “are righteous and very faithful.” He does not lie. His promises, warnings, and actions are fair and reliable. [3] What is there not to trust about God? He always tells the truth.

“My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your Words.” Psalm 119:139

Henry Kissinger once wrote, “The weak are strengthened by the frontier. The strong grow weak by inhibition!” Prior to David becoming king, many in Israel lived in fear due to their lack of faith in God. For example, in 1 Samuel 17:4-10, when the giant Goliath challenged Israel to find one among them to fight him, those who were famous for being strong, turned inward and were greatly afraid. David, on the other hand, though considered weak by others, looked upward to God, and as a result, zeal to silence the giant consumed him.

When David saw that his fellow Israelites lacked faith in God to arise for the occasion, he picked up five smooth stones, his slingshot, and ran at the giant.

Before he struck the giant dead, in 1 Samuel 17:45-46, he prophesied, saying, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

In the Book of Judges, we learn that for many years, Israel was weak due to their inhibition to completely destroy pagans from their land. Frequently, pagans conquered and subdued them. Then, they would cry out to God for help and He would raise up a “Judge” to rescue them. Though David was weak, His faith in God was strong. By faith in God, he expelled invaders from Israel. He set up a massive orchestra and choir to lead Israel in worship. During His days, the Word of God was held in high honor. David’s zeal for God inspired others to do great exploits.

“Your Word is very pure. Therefore, Your servant loves it.” Psalm 119:140

David deeply loved God’s Word. Lovers love God’s Word because it is our connection with Him. The Scripture is like a two-way bridge between God and people. He comes to us and we go to Him in it. Love for Scripture is a sign of one’s love for God.

David loved God’s Word because it is pure. In John 15:3, Jesus said to His disciples, “You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you.” In Ephesians 5:26, Paul wrote of Christ cleansing His bride the Church “with the washing of water by the Word.” God’s Word has the power to cleanse and transform those who receive it. Just as gold is refined by removing what is worthless from it, God’s Word refines our hearts by helping us to identify and remove the impurities that are within us. [4]

“I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.” Psalm 119:141

David honored God’s precepts above himself. God’s Word transformed him. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul wrote, “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.”

In Deuteronomy 7:7-8, God explains that He didn’t choose Israel because it was a large nation with lots of people. Even today, Israel is a tiny nation about the size of the state of New Jersey.

In Deuteronomy 9:4-6, God explains that He didn’t choose Israel because Israel was more righteous than other nations. The Israelites often disobeyed God and made Him angry.

God chose Israel because He knew that their weaknesses would magnify His strength. The outstanding people in the Bible stand out because they acknowledged their inadequacies and embraced God’s grace. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is truth.” Psalm 119:142

God’s righteousness will never run dry or change in nature after so many years.

God’s Law is truth. Truth is the best guide. To reject truth is to act foolishly.

In John 8:32, Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” In John 18:37, Jesus said to Pilate, “For this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

“Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your commandments are my delights. The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting. Give me understanding, and I shall live. Psalm 119:143-144

These two verses repeat the message of the two verses before them, but they add greater emphasis. Earlier David said, “I am small and despised.” Now, he states, “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me.” Earlier David said, “I do not forget Your precepts.” Now, he expresses a stronger love for God’s Word, “Your commandments are my delights.” [5] Neither lingering inadequacies within him nor trials from without him lessened David’s love for God’s Word.

God’s testimonies will always be right. We don’t have to worry about them changing or coming to an end. In John 4:14, Jesus said, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” [6]

David prayed for greater understanding: “Give me understanding.” There is always more to understand about God. David wanted to know God better each day than the day before.

David knew that his eternal salvation depended on understanding God rightly. He said to the Lord, “Give me understanding, and I shall live." In John 17:3, Jesus said, “This is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 137–144 start with the צ TSADDE, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

צַדִּ֣יק אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְ֝יָשָׁ֗ר מִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ׃
צִ֭וִּיתָ צֶ֣דֶק עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וֶֽאֱמוּנָ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
צִמְּתַ֥תְנִי קִנְאָתִ֑י כִּֽי־שָׁכְח֖וּ דְבָרֶ֣יךָ צָרָֽי׃
צְרוּפָ֖ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ מְאֹ֗ד וְֽעַבְדְּךָ֥ אֲהֵבָֽהּ׃
צָעִ֣יר אָנֹכִ֣י וְנִבְזֶ֑ה פִּ֝קֻּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
צִדְקָתְךָ֣ צֶ֣דֶק לְעוֹלָ֑ם וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אֱמֶֽת׃
צַר־וּמָצ֥וֹק מְצָא֑וּנִי מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃
צֶ֖דֶק עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ לְעוֹלָ֗ם הֲבִינֵ֥נִי וְאֶחְיֶֽה׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, צ TSADDE was originally the symbol for righteous.

[2-6] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

The Presence of Jesus in One’s Life – Psalm 119:129-136

פ PE [1]

“Your testimonies are wonderful. Therefore, my soul keeps them.” Psalm 119:129

God’s testimonies include raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, multiplying food for the hungry, defeating evil empires, delivering His servants from the mouths of lions, making the lame to walk again, care for the orphan and widow, creating the universe, sustaining the universe, and sending His Son into the world to pay the ransom for humanity’s salvation. God shares His testimonies with us because He loves us and wants us to know that He can help us.

It is one thing to hear God’s testimonies and it is another thing to be absolutely certain that they are true. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, God says, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Each of us needs the Holy Spirit to help us to understand and to believe the Word of God.

How do we know that what we read in the Bible applies to us? We know it by God’s Spirit. In Romans 8:16, God says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” When we repent of our sins and surrender our life to Christ, He gives us His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit affirms us. He tells us that all the promises of God apply to all who are in Christ.

In Romans 15:4, Paul testified, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

God gives us hope as we consider His testimonies. “Therefore,” as David wrote, “My soul keeps them.” [2]

“The entrance of Your Words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

The purpose of God’s Word is to give us light. Without light we cannot see where we are going. Without light we cannot perceive what is going on around us. How often have individuals and entire nations been duped by liars who made great promises to them? People trusted, helped and supported them only to have them turn on them like brute beasts and tear them to pieces.

“The entrance of Your words gives light.” In the opening verses of the Bible, God tells us how the universe began—truths that people could never discover on their own. As soon as God’s Word enters our hearts and minds, it begins to bring light. The more we study it, the more clearly we see. [3]

God’s Word becomes even clearer when it is carefully explained and faithfully taught. In Nehemiah 8:8, it is written that the Levites, “Read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” [4]

God’s Word “gives understanding to the simple.” God teaches and He gives understanding so that simple-minded people can comprehend what He is saying. Even those with little education or natural ability can understand the way of salvation because God makes it plain to them. The road to heaven is so clearly revealed in Scripture. Those who humbly trust God will see the way. [5]

“I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.” Psalm 119:131

When a person is born of God’s Spirit, he or she experiences a deep hunger for God’s Word. Like a newborn baby craves milk! God encourages us to feed that thirst in 1 Peter 2:2: “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.” I seldom ever read the Bible until I was born again. After Christ converted me, I could not get enough of the Bible, and I still read and enjoy it daily.

The Word of God teaches us the will of God. In Psalm 40:8, David wrote, “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your Law is within my heart.” In Psalm 100:2, David wrote, “Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing.” When we see our life lining up with the Word of God, so that God’s Word is being incarnated or embodied in us, it yields great joy.

David opened his mouth, and panted like someone exhausted from the heat or struggling for breath longs for fresh air. His desire was strong, sincere, and wholehearted. [6] He thirsted for God as a thirsty deer pants for water.

“Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your Name.” Psalm 119:132

David asked the Lord to look upon him with mercy. He wanted God to see his hunger and thirst for Him, and respond to his love by blessings him with those blessings “which eye has not seen, nor ear has heard” spoke of in 1 Corinthians 2:9. [7] Spiritual blessings!

“Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

David was as concerned about God’s work IN him as he was about God’s work THROUGH him. He prayed, “Direct my steps by Your Word.” He was asking God to direct every step he took according to His Word. Our thoughts, choices, and actions should not only avoid what God’s Word forbids but should also follow the way of life that His Word teaches us. [8]

David wanted to do as Romans 12:21 says to do: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” He wanted to do as Romans 6:13 urges us to do: “Do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

When David prayed, “Let no iniquity have dominion over me,” he was asking God to keep him free from being enslaved by sin. The power and control of sin is something every believer should fear and resist. When we trust God’s promise for victory over sin as Romans 6:14 says, “Sin shall not have dominion over you.”

“Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.” Psalm 119:134

David prayed for redemption from the devil’s evil attacks.

After the devil attacked Job, his friends began to suggest that he must have done something very bad to incur such losses. In Job 19:23-27, Job exclaimed, “Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth, and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”

Once, after I incurred a heart-breaking loss, God used the lyrics of a song entitled, “My Redeemer,” to help me express my heart-felt need for Him to heal me.

“Here I go again,
I’m thinking of the time when I will stand,
And look into the eyes of my Redeemer.
Words won’t come my way,
And deep inside my silent accolades,
I’ll find my voice to sing of my Redeemer.

And I know upon this earth I’ll never find,
The words that can express my heart of mine.

When with His words of light,
He spoke and pulled my dark soul from the night.
How can I repay my Redeemer?
With His wounded hands,
He held my broken heart to understand,
I never can repay my Redeemer.”

God used this song, and two other songs sung by Matthew Ward, “To the King” and “God Almighty,” [9] to heal my broken heart. The Lord helped me to focus on what I still had rather than what I loss. He made me stronger in new ways. He helped me to love again.

“Make Your face shine upon Your servant and teach me Your statutes.” Psalm 119:135

David often referred to himself as God’s servant. Seeing himself in such a low position before God, he desired God to patiently teach him (shine) so he could know how to serve Him best.

“Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your Law.” Psalm 119:136

A tender-heart is often accompanied by a tearful eye. This verse reflects the heart of Christ, who was described as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” David’s sorrow was a godly sorrow. People were deliberately defying God. [10]

In Luke 23:24, while on the cross, Jesus prayed for sinners, saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” His heart was broken for them. They were filled with hatred not love.

The beauty on display in Psalm 119:129-136 is that of a heart that can hold both wonderment at God’s amazing testimonies and grief over the hatefulness of people, and still be okay thanks to the presence of Jesus in one’s life.


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 129–136 start with the פ PE, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

פְּלָא֥וֹת עֵדְוֺתֶ֑יךָ עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן נְצָרָ֥תַם נַפְשִֽׁי׃
פֵּ֖תַח דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ יָאִ֗יר מֵבִ֥ין פְּתָיִֽים׃
פִּֽי־פָ֭עַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָה כִּ֖י לְמִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ יָאָֽבְתִּי׃
פְּנֵה־אֵלַ֥י וְחָנֵּ֑נִי כְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט לְאֹהֲבֵ֥י שְׁמֶֽךָ׃
פְּ֭עָמַי הָכֵ֣ן בְּאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ וְֽאַל־תַּשְׁלֶט־בִּ֥י כָל־אָֽוֶן׃
פְּ֭דֵנִי מֵעֹ֣שֶׁק אָדָ֑ם וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
פָּ֭נֶיךָ הָאֵ֣ר בְּעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝לַמְּדֵ֗נִי אֶת־חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
פַּלְגֵי־מַ֭יִם יָרְד֣וּ עֵינָ֑י עַ֝֗ל לֹא־שָׁמְר֥וּ תוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, פ PE was originally the symbol for mouth.

[2-8] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[9] The three songs mentioned are on a CD entitled, “My Redeemer” by Matthew Ward
[10] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Loving God’s Commandments – Psalm 119:121-128

ע AYIN [1]

“I have done justice and righteousness. Do not leave me to my oppressors. Be surety for Your servant for good. Do not let the proud oppress me.” Psalm 119:121-122

David appealed to God as his witness that he had done what was right. God’s own Word in

2 Samuel 8:15 speaks well of David: “David reigned over all Israel. David administered judgment and justice to all his people.” In 1 Samuel 24:11, he could say with a clear conscience to King Saul his father-in-law, “My father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.” [2]

David appealed to God as his Judge, “Do not leave me to my oppressors.” While seeking justice for others who were oppressed, David also needed God to advocate for Him. [3]

Jesus Christ is our Surety before God. We know God loves us because of what Jesus did for us on the cross and in His resurrection. Since God is for us, who can keep us down? No one! In the end, those who are persecuted for doing what is right are in a far better position than those who persecute them. [4]

“My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation and Your righteous Word.” Psalm 119:123

David’s eyes grew weak watching for God’s visible response. Why was God taking so long? Even faithful believers can become discouraged when God’s answer seems delayed. We often struggle to wait for God’s perfect timing after our own expectations have passed. The good news is that God never fails. David needed to keep his eyes on God’s faithful promises. [5]

“Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy and teach me Your statutes. I am Your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.” Psalm 119:124-125

David asked God to disciple him in His statutes. He wanted to understand all that God expected of him. While passing through “the valley of death,” he needed God’s Spirit to lead him. [6]

In times of trouble, we should stay focused on obeying God’s commands and not be overly concerned with what will happen next. In Psalm 138:8, David wrote, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” In Hebrews 13:5, the Lord us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

David appealed to God for mercy. When we ask God to teach us, we should recognize that His instruction is a gift of His grace and one of His greatest blessings. [7]

David confessed to God, “I am Your servant.” He wanted to serve God faithfully, so he asked God for guidance. A servant can rightly expect his master to explain what he wants him to do. In the same way, we can ask our heavenly Father to clarify what He expects from us. [8]

“It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your Law as void.” Psalm 119:126

David asked God for action. His adversaries were treating God’s Law as foolishness. They openly defied God and His authority.

Some break God’s Law due to being weak-willed and others break it deliberately to defy Him. Their attitude is, “Who is the Lord? Who is the Almighty, that we should fear him?” They live as though God and His Law have no bearing on them. They are self-professed atheists.

David cried, “It is time for You to act.” He asked God to step in and silence those who boldly opposed Him and denied His truth. God often acts when sin has become bold and widespread, and when evil has reached its full measure. Then the Lord declares, “Now will I arise.” [9]

We should do everything we can to support truth. Yet we must also pray for God to take the work into His own hands, because only He can ultimately defend His honor and bring lasting victory over evildoers.

“Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right. I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:127-128

David had great love for the Word of God. He loved his Bible better than fine gold. He knew that faith in God’s Word solves more problems than money does. He hated false ways because they lead people from God to hell. The fear of an eternity in hell is a good reason to love God’s commandments more than worldly fame and fortune.


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 121–128 start with the ע AYIN, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

עָ֭שִׂיתִי מִשְׁפָּ֣ט וָצֶ֑דֶק בַּל־תַּ֝נִּיחֵ֗נִי לְעֹֽשְׁקָֽי׃
עֲרֹ֣ב עַבְדְּךָ֣ לְט֑וֹב אַֽל־יַעַשְׁקֻ֥נִי זֵדִֽים׃
עֵ֭ינַי כָּל֣וּ לִֽישׁוּעָתֶ֑ךָ וּלְאִמְרַ֥ת צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
עֲשֵׂ֖ה עִם־עַבְדְּךָ֥ כְחַסְדֶּ֗ךָ וְחֻקֶּ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃
עַבְדְּךָ־אָ֥נִי הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
עֵ֭ת לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לַיהוָ֑ה הֵ֝פֵ֗רוּ תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
עַל֭־כֵּן אָהַ֣בְתִּי מִצְוֺתֶ֑יךָ מִזָּהָ֥ב וּמִפָּֽז׃
עַל־כֵּ֤ן׀ כָּל־פִּקּ֣וּדֵי כֹ֣ל יִשָּׁ֑רְתִּי כָּל־אֹ֖רַח שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂנֵֽאתִי׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, ע AYIN was originally the symbol for eye.

[2-9] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Single-minded Followers of Christ – Psalm 119:113-120

ס SAMEK [1]

“I hate the double-minded, but I love Your Law.” Psalm 119:113

In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah asked people, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” James 1:7-8 says that let not a double-minded man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord. In James 4:8, the apostle urges us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

In Jeremiah, God compares idolatry with adultery. Since we are married to God and to His Law, let us resist all temptations to have an affair with laws that are contrary to God and His ways.

In Jeremiah 4:14, the Lord asked the people of Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?” We cannot stop evil thoughts from passing by us but we can deny them lodging.

Strong love for God’s Law and strong hatred for Satan’s ways is God’s blessing. In 2 Chronicles 30:12, it is written, “The hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the Word of the Lord.”

“You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in Your Word.” Psalm 119:114

When his government wanted to kill him, David often hid in caves and other secure places for safety. In battle, he relied on a shield for protection. In the same way, God was both his hiding place and his shield. God preserved David amidst great danger, guarding both his life from death and his soul from sin. [2]

By faith, we believers take refuge in God. He is our hiding place. He is also our shield who extinguishes fiery arrows that our enemy shoots at us. [3]

David hoped in God’s Word because whatever God says He does. Atheistic leaders tend to make great promises to people, but once that they are in power, they enslave people and torture anyone who dares to speak against them. God is not like that. God is good.

“Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God!” Psalm 119:115

David expressed the courageous resolve to be a faithful soldier for the Lord. It takes courage to stand firmly against sin and faithfully for God, but the truth of the matter is that God is a faithful friend whereas those who do evil are not.

In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

David avoided bad company, saying, “Depart from me, you evildoers.” As Israel’s king, it is likely that evildoers tried to persuade David to approve and support their money grabbing ways. He was like, “Get out of here and don’t come back!”

“Uphold me according to Your Word, that I may live. And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up, and I shall be safe, and I shall observe Your statutes continually.” Psalm 119:116-117

David leaned on God’s sustaining grace. He asked God, “Hold me up” and “Uphold me according to Your Word.” He knew he could not faithfully obey God in his own strength. Without God’s sustaining grace, he would fall into sin. In Psalms 41:12, David said to the Lord, “As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.” [4] Thus, David had both God’s Word and a personal relationship with God to keep Him on track to reach heaven’s shore.

David prayed, “Uphold me, that I may live.” With God’s help his spiritual life would be vibrant. He also prayed, “Hold me up, and I shall be safe,” knowing that God could defend him against every attack. In 2 Timothy 4:17-18, Paul testified to Timothy saying, “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

David declared to God, “I shall observe Your statutes continually.” Thanks to the gracious intervention of God in his life, David stayed faithful to obey God’s statutes (His mandates).

“You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, for their deceit is falsehood. You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore, I love Your testimonies.” Psalm 119:118-119

God judges those who depart from His statutes to live by their own standards instead of His. Departure from God ends with destruction. These people are called “wicked” and “of the earth” because they live for earthly things. [5] In Philippians 3:18-19, Paul wrote about such people, saying, “They are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”

In Ezekiel 18:24, the Lord says, “When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.”

God removes the wicked like dross from precious metal. Though the wicked may live among the righteous, they are worthless in God’s sight compared to His faithful people, just as dross is worthless compared to pure gold. [6] In Matthew 13:49, Jesus said, “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,”

“My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.” Psalm 119:120

Rather than gloating over the downfall of the wicked, David humbled himself before God.

In 1 Samuel 6:1-19, after the Philistines stole the Ark of Covenant from God’s people, terrible tumors broke out on them. So, they sent it back to Israel. When the people of Beth Shemesh got the Ark, they did not fear God. Instead, they opened it up and looked inside. So, God struck 50,070 of them dead. Then, the men of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?” [7]

Once, when I was in a Christian meeting in a country where the government arrests such people, sudden fear came upon me. I thought to myself, “We are all going to be arrested.” I wanted to flee for safety. But then, the Lord said to me, “You and they may or may not be arrested by an earthly government, but every knee will bow before Me and confess Me.” After that, the Holy Spirit gave me resolve to stay and enjoy the fellowship.

“Heavenly Father, please strengthen our resolve to be single-minded about standing and speaking for You. Please graciously grant to me and to my readers the wisdom we need to fear, love and trust You above all things. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.”

[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 113–120 start with the ס SAMEK, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

סֵעֲפִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃
סִתְרִ֣י וּמָגִנִּ֣י אָ֑תָּה לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
סֽוּרוּ־מִמֶּ֥נִּי מְרֵעִ֑ים וְ֝אֶצְּרָ֗ה מִצְוֺ֥ת אֱלֹהָֽי׃
סָמְכֵ֣נִי כְאִמְרָתְךָ֣ וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה וְאַל־תְּ֝בִישֵׁ֗נִי מִשִּׂבְרִֽי׃
סְעָדֵ֥נִי וְאִוָּשֵׁ֑עָה וְאֶשְׁעָ֖ה בְחֻקֶּ֣יךָ תָמִֽיד׃
סָ֭לִיתָ כָּל־שׁוֹגִ֣ים מֵחֻקֶּ֑יךָ כִּי־שֶׁ֝֗קֶר תַּרְמִיתָֽם׃
סִגִ֗ים הִשְׁבַּ֥תָּ כָל־רִשְׁעֵי־אָ֑רֶץ לָ֝כֵ֗ן אָהַ֥בְתִּי עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
סָמַ֣ר מִפַּחְדְּךָ֣ בְשָׂרִ֑י וּֽמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ יָרֵֽאתִי׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, ס SAMEK was originally the symbol for prop.

[2-7] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Speaking of God’s Righteous Judgments – Psalm 119:105-112

נ NUN [1]

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

God gives us His Word to light the path before us. His Word reveals things about God and us that we could not otherwise know. It shows us what is wrong, what is dangerous, and what needs to be corrected. Without it this world would be filled with utter darkness. [2] God’s Word continues to burn brightly among us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In a sense, God’s Word is our Rabbi or teacher. Just as Jesus taught His disciples in the Gospels, so He teaches us now through the words of the Bible. His Spirit enlightens our understanding so that we can comprehend its correct meaning and application.

“I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:106

God’s judgments are always right because they are based on His Word. David bound himself to them and verbally affirmed them. [3] Just as it is good and right for a man and woman to make commitments to one another when they marry, so it is good for every individual to make a solemn commitment to honor God’s judgments.

Blessings flow from God as we faithfully do for Him what we promised to do.

“I am afflicted very much. Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word.” Psalm 119:107

David describes an experience that is common to God’s servants, namely, a type of dying and resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, Paul wrote, “I die daily.” In Galatians 2:20, he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” How did David respond to afflictions? He asked God for resurrection power, saying, “Revive me!”

In Proverbs 24:16, David’s son Solomon wrote, “A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” Solomon had witnessed God bring his dad back from the brink of destruction multiple times.

In Romans 8:11, Paul wrote, “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” In Christ we have resurrection power!

“Revive me, O Lord!” meaning, “Resuscitate me, I am on the verge of dying.” “Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation!”

“Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your judgments.” Psalm 119:108

David prayed that God would accept the freewill offerings of his mouth—not offerings of money, but his prayers and praises. These are the spiritual sacrifices that believers, as God’s spiritual priests, offer to Him. As Hosea 14:2 says, they are “the calves of our lips,” and as Hebrews 13:15 says, they are “the fruit of our lips.” These offerings must come willingly and gladly from the heart. The more love, sincerity, and willingness we have in serving God, the more pleasing our service is to Him. [4]

David asked God to teach him about divine judgment. A large portion of the Bible has to do with God’s judgment. Prophets and apostles warned people to turn from idols to the living God lest they perish in their sins. All God’s people should learn from Him how speak of His judgments.

In John 16:8-11, Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “When He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” A sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence within us is an inner conviction of our need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ because only He saves us from sin and its consequences.

“My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your Law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.” Psalm 119:109-110

David’s life was at risk. His enemies hid traps to catch him. He was type of Christ in this way. In Mark 12:13, the Bible says of Jesus, “Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.”

As a soldier, David often risked his life in battle. But especially as a faithful servant of God—a man after God’s own heart—he suffered hatred and persecution. [5] As 2 Corinthians 4:11 says, God’s servants may be “always delivered unto death” for His sake.

Though in danger of losing his life, David was not in danger of losing his faith. God, in His mercy, kept David believing. Peter wrote about being kept by the power of God in 1 Peter 1:3-5. He blessed God who births us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God gives us an inheritance that does not fade away. He reserves it in heaven for us. He keeps us by His power through faith. Why? For salvation that will be revealed in the last time. [6]

“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.” Psalm 119:111-112

David made a firm decision to live and die by the Word of God. He valued the testimonies of the Lord. He found great joy in them. [7]

In Revelation 2-3, Jesus made promises to those who overcome the various trials which the world sends their way. For example in Revelation 2:25-26, Jesus said to the Church in Thyatira, “Hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.”

In James 1:12, the Lord has promised “the crown of life to those who love Him.”

Do we love the Lord? To love God is the first and great commandment. Do we love every aspect of His nature, including His holiness, His Law, His judgments, His mercy, His grace and His love?

There is so much to know about God! In Romans 11:33, Paul wrote, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” We will never learn all there is to know about God on this side of eternity, but we should be His disciples who constantly seek to understand Him better than the day before.


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 105–112 start with the נ NUN, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

נֵר־לְרַגְלִ֥י דְבָרֶ֑ךָ וְ֝א֗וֹר לִנְתִיבָתִֽי׃
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי וָאֲקַיֵּ֑מָה לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
נַעֲנֵ֥יתִי עַד־מְאֹ֑ד יְ֝הוָ֗ה חַיֵּ֥נִי כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
נִדְב֣וֹת פִּ֭י רְצֵה־נָ֣א יְהוָ֑ה וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃
נַפְשִׁ֣י בְכַפִּ֣י תָמִ֑יד וְ֝תֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
נָתְנ֬וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים פַּ֣ח לִ֑י וּ֝מִפִּקּוּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א תָעִֽיתִי׃
נָחַ֣לְתִּי עֵדְוֺתֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָ֑ם כִּֽי־שְׂשׂ֖וֹן לִבִּ֣י הֵֽמָּה׃
נָטִ֣יתִי לִ֭בִּי לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת חֻקֶּ֗יךָ לְעוֹלָ֥ם עֵֽקֶב׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, נ NUN was originally the symbol for fish.

[2-7] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Love For God’s Word – Psalm 119:97-104

מ MEM [1]

“O, how I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

David expresses his deep love for God’s Law! He is amazed that, despite his sinful nature and the temptations around him, God had maintained his love for the Scriptures. [2]

David’s love for God’s Word was demonstrated by how much it occupied his thoughts. We naturally think often about what we love. [3] David reflected on God’s Word because he wanted its truth to maintain his perspective of reality.

“You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients because I keep Your precepts.” Psalm 119:98-100

David started out as a shepherd. Later, he served as a court musician, and after that a military leader. He stuck with God’s commandments and they helped him to succeed where others failed. [4] In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said, “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

David kept God’s Word with him always. It was continually on his mind. A godly person carries the Bible wherever he goes—not only in his hands but also in his heart. [5] As a business owner makes every effort to keep his business going in the right direction, so David made every effort to keep his life going in the direction of God’s commandments.

The best way to grow in spiritual understanding is to obey what God has already revealed. As Jesus taught in John 7:17, those who are willing to do God’s will grow in their understanding of His truth. [6] He who loves God’s light will receive more light from God.

By studying and obeying God’s Word, David became wiser than his enemies. God gave him wisdom to discern and overcome their plans. He had peace of mind that hateful people lack.

David gained more understanding than his teachers. This may refer to the priests. Perhaps, the priests were more concerned about opinions of peers than being with God. [7]

David learned the basic commandments from “the ancients,” that is, those older than himself. However, he did not stop learning when they stopped teaching him. He grew beyond them in spiritual understanding due to his continuous obedience to God’s Word. [8]

David’s growth from spiritual infancy to spiritual adulthood is a pattern that God wants us to follow. In Hebrews 5:12-14, we read, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

God’s written Word is a surer guide to heaven than all the writings of teachers, scholars, and wise people of past generations. Those who study it, obey it, and continue in it become wise. [9]

“I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your Word.” Psalm 119:101

When David was tempted to stray from God, he turned to God’s Word. A sinful path might seem attractive and pleasant, but God’s Word says that it leads to destruction. In Proverbs 14:12, God says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” In Psalms 17:4, David wrote, “By the words of Your lips I have kept myself from the paths of the destroyer.” [10]

David's purpose in avoiding sin was to remain faithful to God: “That I might keep Your Word.” He sincerely desired to live according to God’s Word. How could he approach God with confidence if he were double-minded? In James 1:6-8, it is written, “He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

“I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me.” Psalm 119:102

Remaining faithful to God during difficult times is strong evidence of genuine faith in Him. [11]

David believed that God’s judgments were worth preserving. God taught him the meaning of them. His heart probably burned within him as the Lord opened his understanding to comprehend the meaning of the Scriptures. In Luke 24:32, two disciples of Jesus said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

“How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding. Therefore, I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:103-104

The sweetness of God’s Word to David far surpassed the sweetness of earthly desserts. He wanted others to experience its taste. In Psalm 34:8, he wrote, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” The people in John 4:42 were happy that they got to hear from Christ personally. [12]

David hated false ways as much as he loved the truth. He did not try to sit on the fence between the two ways. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus taught, “No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” David’s deep distaste for sin kept his desire for truth intact. I like what Dwight L. Moody said about the Bible, “Sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin.”


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 97–104 start with the מ MEM, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

מָֽה־אָהַ֥בְתִּי תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ כָּל־הַ֝יּ֗וֹם הִ֣יא שִׂיחָתִֽי׃
מֵ֭אֹ֣יְבַי תְּחַכְּמֵ֣נִי מִצְוֺתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם הִיא־לִֽי׃
מִכָּל־מְלַמְּדַ֥י הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי כִּ֥י עֵ֝דְוֺתֶ֗יךָ שִׂ֣יחָה לִֽֿי׃
מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
מִכָּל־אֹ֣רַח רָ֭ע כָּלִ֣אתִי רַגְלָ֑י לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃
מִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לֹא־סָ֑רְתִּי כִּֽי־אַ֝תָּ֗ה הוֹרֵתָֽנִי׃
מַה־נִּמְלְצ֣וּ לְ֭חִכִּי אִמְרָתֶ֗ךָ מִדְּבַ֥שׁ לְפִֽי׃
מִפִּקּוּדֶ֥יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן שָׂנֵ֤אתִי׀ כָּל־אֹ֬רַח שָֽׁקֶר׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, מ MEM was originally the symbol for water.

[2-12] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Aligned With the Word of God – Psalm 119:89-96

ל LAMED [1]

“Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89

God’s Word is settled. He is not going to change it to suit us. In Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” The Bible ascribes the same characteristics to Jesus Christ as it does to God’s Word. In Revelation 19:13, when Christ returns, He is described as being “clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God.” He will judge the earth and everyone in it according to the Word of God.

One good reason to read our Bibles is to see how our lives are lining up with the Word of God. In James 1:23-24, God describes His Word as a mirror that helps us to see ourselves from God’s perspective. We should be more concerned about how God sees us than how the world sees us.

“Your faithfulness endures to all generations. You established the earth, and it abides.” Psalm 119:90

Colossians 1:16-17 is about Jesus, “By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” The Bible ascribes the mighty works of God to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ with God our Father, and the Holy Spirit are the One triune God.

“They continue this day according to Your ordinances, for all are Your servants.” Psalm 119:91

Heaven and earth serve the purposes that God gives them. They obey His command. In Genesis 8:22, the Lord promised Noah, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” [2] So, despite what some climate experts predict, God will maintain seasonal weather as long as the earth exists.

In Jeremiah 33:20-21, God connected the reliability of the seasons to the reliability of David having on his descendants reigning on his throne. “Thus says the Lord, ‘If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a Son to reign on his throne...” The descendant that this passage refers to is Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ reigns forever. [3]

“Unless Your Law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.” Psalm 119:92

David attributed his victories over afflictions to his delight in God’s Law. God’s Law provided guidance for David to live by so that he was not led astray by the evil one’s temptations. Reading and meditating on God’s Law provided him a daily connection with God.

“I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.” Psalm 119:93

David was mindful and obedient to God’s Word. Why? He stated, “For by them You have given me life.” God’s Word contains life. In John 6:63, Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” In Hebrews 4:12, it is written, “The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

“I am Yours, save me, for I have sought Your precepts.” Psalm 119:94

David declares that he belongs to God. He asks God to save him from sin and from ruin. Why? Because he sincerely seeks to know and follow God’s ways. [4]

“The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies.” Psalm 119:95

Wicked people look for opportunities to destroy God’s messengers. Their intentions are cruel. Such people sought to destroy David, but he overcame them by remembering the testimonies of the Lord. The testimonies of the Lord include the stories of His miracles in the Bible.

Once, while in China, a team of missionaries that I was leading came into a very ominous situation with authorities. One whispered to me, “What shall we do?” In that moment, the Spirit brought to my mind the story of David and Goliath. I whispered to the group, “Don’t worry, God loves David and Goliath situations.” Everything turned out fine thanks to the Lord’s intervention.

On another occasion, uniformed men bearing machine guns stopped me and told me in Mandarin to open my shoulder bag. It had Chinese Bibles in it and I was near the meeting place where the disciples were waiting for me to teach them. I understood what they said but acted as though I did not to stall for time. I asked the Lord what to do. He brought to my mind the time that Jesus walked through the midst of those who wanted to throw Him over a cliff. Then, the Lord said to me, “Walk.” So, I walked. They said nothing. Later, I circled around and entered the meeting point by a different direction. The meeting went well. Praise the Lord!

“I have seen the consummation of all perfection, but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.” Psalm 119:96

Anything this world has to offer us is imperfect due to the curse of sin. David wrote, “I have seen an end of all perfection.” [5]

Thanks be to God! The devil and his works of darkness have an expiration date. In Revelation 20:10, it is written, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” In Revelation 20:15, it is written, “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

God’s commandment is exceedingly broad. God’s Word has applications for every situation and stage of life. Every command contains deep truth about what God requires and what He forbids. [6]


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 89–96 start with the ל LAMED, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

לְעוֹלָ֥ם יְהוָ֑ה דְּ֝בָרְךָ֗ נִצָּ֥ב בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
לְדֹ֣ר וָ֭דֹר אֱמֽוּנָתֶ֑ךָ כּוֹנַ֥נְתָּ אֶ֝֗רֶץ וַֽתַּעֲמֹֽד׃
לְֽ֭מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ עָמְד֣וּ הַיּ֑וֹם כִּ֖י הַכֹּ֣ל עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃
לוּלֵ֣י ת֭וֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֑י אָ֝֗ז אָבַ֥דְתִּי בְעָנְיִֽי׃
לְ֭עוֹלָם לֹא־אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח פִּקּוּדֶ֑יךָ כִּ֥י בָ֝֗ם חִיִּיתָֽנִי׃
לְֽךָ־אֲ֭נִי הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃
לִ֤י קִוּ֣וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים לְאַבְּדֵ֑נִי עֵ֝דֹתֶ֗יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָֽן׃
לְֽכָל תִּ֭כְלָה רָאִ֣יתִי קֵ֑ץ רְחָבָ֖ה מִצְוָתְךָ֣ מְאֹֽד׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, ל LAMED was originally the symbol for study.

[2-6] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Law and Gospel Proclaimers – Psalm 119:81-88

כ KAPH [1]

“My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your Word. My eyes fail from searching Your Word, saying, ‘When will You comfort me?’” Psalm 119:81-82

David’s soul was faint. His soul needed God’s saving grace to revive it. How would God’s saving grace come to Him? The answer is in God’s Word.

In Psalm 1:2-3, Scripture does for a soul what water does for a tree. Blessed is the person whose “delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.” Scripture feeds the soul and makes it prosper.

In Romans 15:4, Paul wrote, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

In Romans 5:5, the hope that God gives us “does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” God also assures us of His love for us by His Spirit bearing witness with our spirit.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

David’s longing can also point to the hope of the coming Messiah. David was one of the prophets that Peter referred to in 1 Peter 1:10 where he wrote, “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,” The Old Testament prophets saw God’s promise from a distance. Their longing was so great that it seemed as though their eyes failed while waiting for the promise to be fulfilled. [2]

Although his soul was faint and his eyes were weary from watching, David said to God, “I hope in Your Word." Without hope in God, his soul would have been lost.

Faith is about trusting in God’s love for you. When you cannot yet see the answer, you can trust in Him who made the promise. [3]

“For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, yet I do not forget Your statutes.” Psalm 119:83

David compared himself to a wineskin that had been exposed to smoke for a long time. Such a bottle would be darkened, dried, hardened, and shriveled from the heat. David’s circumstances negatively impacted his witness for God. [4] He had not forgot God’s Word, but it was hard for him to shine for God while under the dark clouds of trials and temptations.

Affliction can weaken even the strongest people. David once had a healthy vibrant appearance. He had lost his luster. He did not want to be considered a worthless wineskin by God. [5]

Our feelings during suffering do not always reflect reality. Even when we feel weak and insignificant, God still loves us and sees us as precious in His sight. [6]

Although his affliction was severe, David told God, “I do not forget Your statutes.” His hardships had not quenched his love for God, but he admitted that needed God to keep his fire burning.

“How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?” Psalm 119:84

David brought his persecutors before God in prayer. He knew that vengeance belongs to God. He appealed to God as the righteous Judge to do what was right for everyone involved. [7]

Those who trouble God’s people will one day face the righteous judgment of God. In Jude 1:14, we read, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints.’” We look forward to the day when Christ will return and bring complete justice: “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” [8]

David asked, “How many are the days of Your servant?” Some understand this question as a reference to the brevity of life: “Come help before my life is over." Others understand it as referring to the duration of his suffering. “Lord, You know how many days I have suffered. When will it end?” He asked God to shorten the days of his tribulation. [9]

This passage encourages us to bring our pain to God. We can ask Him to shorten the days our suffering. Jesus revealed God to us as a healer who has compassion on those who hurt. [10]

“The proud have dug pits for me, which is not according to Your Law. All Your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me! They almost made an end of me on earth, but I did not forsake Your precepts.” Psalm 119:85-87

Proud people dug pits for David. This means that their attacks were not accidental. They were carefully planned. Like hunters who secretly set traps for their prey, they schemed to bring David down. Their hatred reflects the long-standing hostility of the serpent’s seed against those who belong to God. [11]

In Revelation 12:17, the devil is at war with those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The commandments refers to the Law. The testimony of Jesus refers to the Gospel. The proud especially oppose the idea that all people are sinners in need of a Savior. There are many ways to witness for Christ, but my experience is that the severest persecution is leveled against those who preach the Law and Gospel by which God converts souls unto Himself.

David’s enemies were enemies of God’s Law. In Exodus 21:33-34, God’s Law requires a person who digs a pit that causes harm to take responsibility for the damage. So, God will certainly condemn a person who digs a pit for a Law-and-Gospel-proclaimer... if he does not repent. [12]

David’s persecutors wanted him to forsake God, but failed. David could say to God, “I forsook not Your precepts.” They could not diminish his devotion to God. David was willing to lose much to gain more of God. The mark of genuine faith is steadfast love for God. [13]

“Revive me according to Your lovingkindness so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.” Psalm 119:88

David resolved to remain faithful to God. He relied on God’s grace to do so. Our ability to serve God stems from our reliance on His Spirit’s anointing and power to do so.

The greatest evidence that God loves us is not merely the blessings He gives around us, but the transforming work He accomplishes within us. When God gives us a desire to obey Him and the strength to follow His ways, it is a clear sign of His grace at work in our hearts. [14]

It is by God’s grace that we are saved, and it is by His grace that He proclaims through us His Law and Gospel which brings salvation to lost souls.


[1] From Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections, with each section named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 81–88 start with the כ KAPH, and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

כָּלְתָ֣ה לִתְשׁוּעָתְךָ֣ נַפְשִׁ֑י לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
כָּל֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי לְאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לֵ֝אמֹ֗ר מָתַ֥י תְּֽנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃
כִּֽי־הָ֭יִיתִי כְּנֹ֣אד בְּקִיט֑וֹר חֻ֝קֶּ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃
כַּמָּ֥ה יְמֵֽי־עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ מָתַ֬י תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה בְרֹדְפַ֣י מִשְׁפָּֽט׃
כָּֽרוּ־לִ֣י זֵדִ֣ים שִׁיח֑וֹת אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לֹ֣א כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
כָּל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמוּנָ֑ה שֶׁ֖קֶר רְדָפ֣וּנִי עָזְרֵֽנִי׃
כִּ֭מְעַט כִּלּ֣וּנִי בָאָ֑רֶץ וַ֝אֲנִ֗י לֹא־עָזַ֥בְתִּי פִקֻּודֶֽיךָ׃
כְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵד֥וּת פִּֽיךָ׃

Historically, each letter name corresponds to a concrete object. Over time, these pictures evolved into the letters used today. For example, כ KAPH is symbolic of hand.

[2-14] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary