Next Part 3.
Psalm 119
60. "I made haste, and delayed not to keep Your commandments."
Loitering in the Christian course is perilous. Onward, onward should be the constant cry. Lot's wife paused, and then looked back, and perished. Let us lay aside every weight and run unweariedly in the way which love and wisdom have enjoined.
61. "The bands of the wicked have robbed me; but I have not forgotten Your law."
The godly may be called to bear the spoiling of their temporal goods. But they have riches which no robber's hands can touch. The Word is a treasure in which they daily meditate, with no fear of loss.
62. "At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous judgments."
When sleep fast locked the eyes of others, the Psalmist leaves his bed. He is intent to utter praises. God's righteous judgments call for joyful notice. Thanksgiving is repose of the heart.
63. "I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts."
The sincerity of grace is evidenced by the choice of associates. Two cannot walk together except they be agreed. Light has no fellowship with darkness. The feet cannot at the same time be set in the narrow and in the broad way. Those who fear God delight in pious fellowship.
64. "The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes."
The whole creation has a voice loudly proclaiming that good and gracious is the Lord. Every object reflects tender care. Let us seek enlarged knowledge of His works, so will His ways be our delight. Increased illumination will gladden the meditating heart. Advance in knowledge will be advance in joy.
65. "You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according unto Your word."
Where is the believer who can restrain this rapturous acknowledgment! Touched by divine grace he feels that God's goodness baffles all thought. He knows that our God has given largely like a God. All the provisions of the Covenant are bountifully poured into his lap.
66. "Teach me good judgment and knowledge; for I have believed Your commandments."
The soul is athirst for brighter rays of light and knowledge. Faith is confessed to be the happy inhabitant of the heart; and the constant cry is, Give large increase. Faith has sweet skill in pleading.
67. "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I have kept Your word."
Afflictions are often charged to do good work. Their commission is mercy. A thin disguise conceals a friendly form. They check the wanderers and bring them back. In the time of suffering they may be bitter, but in retrospect they are sweet. They lead to holiness, and holiness is joy.
68. "You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes."
The believer delights in contemplation of his God. Every view discovers goodness. This is inscribed on all His dealings. Hence the longing desire for more acquaintance with His statutes. To know His law is to know Himself.
69. "The proud have forged a lie against me; but I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart."
Lying witnesses were obtained to bring false charges against Jesus. If the Head was thus slandered, shall the members escape? But these arch devices are all vain. They lead to closer adherence to God's Word.
70. "Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in Your law."
Their heart swells with pride, and becomes impervious to tender impression. Prosperity often exerts benumbing influence. No sense of sin—no self-abhorrence is its fruit. But there is a lovely contrast. In the believer the contrite heart loathes self-satisfaction, and finds no joy but in clinging to the law of God.
71. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Your statutes."
Corrupt nature needs the frequent scourge. The present smart may be severe, but the resulting benefit is more than compensation for the pain. Satisfaction makes rich amends for the sorrows which preceded it. Let not our frowns then meet affliction.
72. "The law of Your mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."
True is the testimony that the Word of the Lord is more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold. This treasure is in our hands. May the Spirit write its contents on our hearts! God's law inscribed there is everlasting wealth.
73. "Your hands have made me, and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments."
Appeal is made to God as our Creator. Every faculty of mind and body is the offspring of His sovereign will. Therefore He who gives our every power is implored to increase spiritual intelligence. In His school blessed lessons are learned.
74. "Those who do not fear will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in Your word."
Our course should be so free from ambiguity that it may be evident on what foundation our hopes are built. When those who fear the Lord distinctly see that all our expectations are from Him, they will rejoice in our godly communion.
75. "I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that You in faithfulness have afflicted me."
When afflictions oppress us it is well to remember the smiting hand. Correction is ordered in the Covenant for us. God in these trials acts in accordance with most holy righteousness.
76. "Let, I pray You, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant."
We often need strong consolation. A rich store is laid up for us in our God. To Him let us draw near and pray that all His promises to us in Christ Jesus may be our rich enjoyment.
77. "Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for Your law is my delight."
Tender mercy can prolong our days; but continued life should only be desired in submission to God's will, and for the furtherance of His glory. Such will be our desire when our delight is to follow His law as our one rule.
78. "Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause; but I will meditate on Your precepts."
Confusion will overwhelm the perverse adversaries. Their persecution is without cause. Harmless will be all their rage when the mind retires into the secret places of holy meditation.
79. "Let those who do not fear turn to me, and those who have known Your testimonies."
The man of God delights only in the fellowship of those who are fellow-servants of His God. They are described as fearing God and intelligently keeping His testimonies. Prayer is made that such may cheer him by their company.
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