Weekly Introduction: Because the psalmist is living his life according to the precepts of God’s Word, he is able to rejoice in the life God has given him. This Psalm is truly the “Song of the Joyful Sojourner” as we see the psalmist navigate his way through the unexpected turns and potential pitfalls of life. I pray that you will sense the joy of the psalmist as we continue our excursion by looking at the sixth grouping of 8 verses presented under the heading of the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

 (Waw) – The sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet begins this 8-verse section

At this point, the psalmist wants to move beyond the commandments in God’s Word in order to focus on his personal relationship with the Lord. Here is how he begins this segment,

 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise (vs 41).

 The word used for “unfailing love” comes from the Hebrew word hesed, and it has also been translated as “lovingkindness.” It is one of the richest words describing God’s character in the Old Testament. Combining all the thoughts inherent in the word, we see the riches of God’s character wrapped up in his kindness and unfailing love. And the psalmist wants to experience that part of God’s character, including the salvation that He offers as one of His many promises. The word for “salvation” can either suggest physical “deliverance” from enemies or trials, or it can have a “spiritual” connotation referring to the Lord’s salvation from the penalty and power of sin. In either case, the psalmist is praising God for being the “keeper” of His promises.    

Then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word (vs 42).

 There are always those who mock us for our faith and our commitment to live a life pleasing to God. Once again, the psalmist is praising God because He promised deliverance, and he knows that he can trust in God’s Word. And friends, we need to do the same regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Peter admonishes us to “…always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that in in you. But do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws (vs 43).

 Now comes a request from the psalmist that the Lord would never allow His Word to depart from his mouth, which involves both internalizing its truths as well as sharing them with others. And, as you can see, the psalmist understood God’s Word to be “truth” in every sense of the word. He understood that God was not going to lead him along a false or destructive path, and therefore, he was able to put his hope in God’s laws. And again, God’s Word is the foundation for our hope and the source of all truth.

I will always obey your law, for ever and ever (vs 44).

 Because of the abundant blessings and benefits of obeying God’s Word, the psalmist affirms that he will always obey His law, and never, ever, depart from it. He knows the destruction that will come if he wanders on his own path, and therefore, he acknowledges his commitment to be obedient to the teachings of God’s Word. Of course, we should do the same!

 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts (vs 45).

 We err if we think that keeping God’s commandments brings us into bondage. On the contrary, it allows us the freedom to pursue God’s will, but within the parameters of God’s laws. Remember the “mine field” analogy? When we know where the land mines are located, there is still plenty of room to maneuver our lives around the land mines to bring blessings to others. In the last part of this phrase, I picture the psalmist searching God’s Word for additional precepts that he may have missed or overlooked. He is passionate about knowing them and keeping them, as we should also be.

I will speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be put to shame (vs 46),

This is another indication that this Psalm may have been penned by David. Regardless, if the psalmist were to stand before kings or princes, he would not shy away from speaking of the blessings found in knowing and following God’s Law. High ranking officials may ridicule him and call him “crazy,” but he is committed to sharing the precepts of God’s Word as a source of blessing for all who keep His Laws.

For I delight in your commands, because I love them (vs 47).

 The psalmist delights in God’s commands simply because he loves them. As you and I ponder all the commands that the Lord has called us to keep, we will quickly realize how they bring blessings to our own lives as well as in the lives of others. For example, Paul’s admonition to let all our words always be “…full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).

I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees (vs 48).

 I picture the psalmist being so in love with God’s commands that he is “reaching out” for them as if he were saying “Hand me the scroll containing God’s laws!” That should be like each of us as we prepare to read God’s Word. Why does he do it? Because he loves the commandments which make him wiser than all his enemies. But that’s not all, because he not only wants to read God’s commands, but to also meditate on them. When meditating, he is certainly seeking to understand the purpose and meaning of each command, how to best observe it, and how it will bring blessings to himself and to others.

 I pray that each of us will long for God’s Word in order to understand the truths contained in it, and to acknowledge and obey the commands and exhortations provided in it. Let’s all make a commitment to do that this week. But first, we need to “grab” God’s Word, and then read it for “all it’s worth!”

 Hope to see you next week.