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 eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
(Heth) – The eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet begins this 8-verse section
You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words (vs 57)
I’m sure you remember the first lines of the 23rd Psalm where David acknowledges the fact that the Lord is his Shepherd. Following this affirmation, he then proceeds to state that there is nothing else that he needs in life if the Lord is indeed his Shepherd (“I shall not want”). Here, the psalmist makes the same point clear, that the Lord is his portion, that is, the Lord is all that he needs. And because of this assurance, the psalmist had renewed his promise to obey God’s words.
I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise (vs 58).
There are many things that we can seek from the Lord, one of them being the supply of all of our needs that we receive “from His hand.” But here, the psalmist is not asking for anything but only to seek the Lord’s face, that is, the beauty of His countenance and his abiding presence. And as he does that, he asks the Lord to deal graciously with him, and all of that is according to the promises of God toward those who are faithful to Him.
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes (vs 59).
In Psalm 139:23-24, the Psalmist asks the Lord to search his heart and mind to see if there is any “wicked” way that he is pursuing, and in this Psalm, he acknowledges the fact that he has “considered” his ways and in response, has turned aside from any falsehood or evil paths. And we should be as bold in our own assessment of our walk with God, that is, courageous enough to ask God to expose any false agendas in our lives.
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands (vs 60).
I love this. He wants to waste no time in obeying God, especially if he has had to make a mid-course correction and get his life back on track. He wants to get back on track as quickly as possible so that he will not bring shame to his Lord, as well as continue glorifying the one who provided the commandments in the first place.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law (vs 61).
The psalmist imagines evildoers restraining him with ropes, and if that were to ever happen, he promised the Lord to never forget His laws. Even if ridiculed for his commitment to God’s Word, he would never forget the Lord’s commandments nor fail to obey them, and we should make the same commitment in our lives.
At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws (vs 62).
Even in the middle of the night when awakened from sleep, he gives thanks to God’s righteous laws. Notice that the psalmist did not just refer to God’s laws, but to His “righteous” laws, and that is what they are. They had never failed to bring “righteousness” to his own life, and to the life of the nation.
I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts (63).
The Psalmist wants to keep good company, and that is company with friends who also reverence God. He wants to join them as a throng in step keeping the Lord’s precepts so that they can, as a united group, impact the life of the entire nation for righteousness.
The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees (64).
Even with all of the turmoil and injustice swirling around him, he recognizes that the earth is filled with myriads of examples of God’s love; and even with that, he wants to learn even more of God’s decrees. It’s no longer just about learning commandments, but it’s about learning the “why’s” and the “how’s” of keeping those commandments. At all costs, he wants to be a faithful follower of the Lord, as we should desire to be also.
I pray that each of you will have a wonderful week, receiving and acknowledging God’s blessings, and thanking Him for His “righteous” commandments. Hope to see you next week.
