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 as he successfully navigates the unexpected turns and potential pitfalls of life. I pray that you will sense the joy of the psalmist as we look at the next 8 verses presented under the heading of the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Taw.

May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word (vs 169).

In this verse, the psalmist is once again addressing his thoughts and words toward God himself. And it’s more than words, it’s a “cry” from the depths of his heart. And as he cries out to God, he is asking for understanding as he reads God’s Word. And this should be our cry as well.

May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise (vs 170).

Again, he is asking God to listen to his prayer, and to answer his request for deliverance from those who are trying to discourage him by verbally accusing him of following a path that leads to nowhere. And the psalmist asks God to do it according to His promise to deliver the oppressed when they cry out to Him.

May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees (vs 171).

And now, the psalmist is asking God to allow his lips to always overflow with words of praise, because he knows that it is not just words on parchment, but God himself who teaches him His decrees.

May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous (vs 172).

And following up with the previous verse, the psalmist again asks God to allow his tongue to sing praises for His word, simply because all of God’s commands are righteous.

May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts (vs 173).

Again, the psalmist is asking God to be ready to help him at all times, and the reason for his request is that he has chosen to follow His precepts.

I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight (vs 174).

As most of you know, the word “salvation” can either point to physical or emotional salvation, or of course, spiritual salvation of our souls through Jesus Christ. In this case, the psalmist is probably asking for “deliverance” from those who are tormenting him. And again, the psalmist expresses his joy over the fact that God’s laws give him great delight, as they should us also.

Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me (vs 175).

As the psalmist prepares to wrap up his thoughts, he asks God to allow him to live, and for one reason – that he may praise Him all the days of his life. And he makes note of the fact that God’s laws have and will sustain him the rest of his days. This, of course, should also be the cry of our own hearts.

I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands (vs 176).

Now comes a time for confession, that he has strayed like a lost sheep. Because of that, he asks God to seek him, and of course, to find him, just like in Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7). And once again, the psalmist wants God to know that he hasn’t forgotten His commands, and because of that, the Good Shepherd will find and restore his lost sheep.

As we wrap of Psalm 119, we need to understand that in spite of his adversaries who ridicule him and try to get him off the path of righteousness, the psalmist declares throughout the psalm that he is committed to walking according to God’s laws. And this should be our own commitment as we live our lives praising the One who gives us life. May each of us learn the lessons from this Psalm and commit our way to the Lord according to His Word.