November 24, 2021
DO YOU SEEK THE BLESSING OR THE BESTOWER? The psalmist declared that the Lord Himself was his portion, his reward. He sought not the Lord’s hands, but His face. While others seek blessing, he sought the Bestower of all true blessings. Remember the parable Jesus told of the prodigal son? He said to his
November 28, 2020
WHEN IS IT TIME FOR GOD TO ACT? The psalmist saw the people of the world becoming more and more rebellious, ignoring the law of God. He called on the Lord to take action. This call was made especially acute by the fact that Psalm 119 was written as an ode to God’s Word. Usually
November 24, 2020
DO YOU SEEK THE BLESSING OR THE BESTOWER? The psalmist declared that the Lord Himself was his portion, his reward. He sought not the Lord’s hands, but His face. While others seek blessings, he sought the Bestower of blessing. Remember the parable Jesus told of the prodigal son? He said to his father, “Give
November 23, 2020
A PRAYER FOR GOD’S PERSPECTIVE The psalmist asked the Lord to help him turn his eyes from “worthless things,” so that he might be “revived” by following God’s perspective. He recognized his temptation to focus on things that do not last and to spend his life pursuing them. And in the process of pursuing them,
June 1, 2020
WHOSE TESTIMONY WILL YOU BELIEVE? Some say that David wrote Psalm 119 to teach his son, Solomon, to love God’s Word, while at the same time, teaching him the Hebrew alphabet. For this beautiful ode to God’s Word is an acrostic poem, with each stanza beginning with one of the twenty-two Hebrew letters. Yet
May 23, 2020
HAVE YOU DETERMINED WHERE TO FIND YOUR DELIGHT? Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem based on the Hebrew alphabet. It is a meditation on the majesty and wonder of God’s Word. Consider the psalmist’s declaration of determination saying, “I will.” He decided in advance to find his delight in God’s statutes. As an act of
November 24, 2018
BIBLE THEMES MAKE THE BEST SONGS
Although Psalm 119 has no autograph, it is almost universally accepted by older commentators as being of David. Verse 54 moves me to agree. Who else would write of his God-inspired songs, but King Saul’s favorite song writer and lute player, David?
I have to agree with David about the best theme for songs. Romantic love might be the most prolific theme for modern songs, but teens soon turn twenty. And agape love, which is God’s kind of love, is a better theme. Regardless of “where we live,” no matter the circumstance, biblical themes make the best songs. They encourage us and bring joy, moving our focus from worldly things to things above. They give us voice to offer the highest praise to our God and to His Son, Jesus Christ.
I love music, especially the songs inspired by Bible themes. Don’t you?
November 28, 2017
There is a right way and a wrong way to approach the Bible. The psalmist approached it in the right way. He first declared his position as a servant of the Lord before requesting understanding and knowledge of God’s Word. He came saying, “I have already decided to obey You, O Lord, only help me understand what I read, so I know how to apply it rightly to my life. The psalmist came empty, asking to be filled. He came thirsty, asking for the living water to quench his thirst.
There is also a wrong way to approach the Bible. The requests may be the same, but the attitude is opposite of the psalmist’s. The one who approaches wrongly will come full of their own knowledge, asking only to add to it. They come without thirst, only wishing to spit it out at others to prove their own superiority. They come not as a “servant,” but as a self-appointed master, thinking to use the Bible according to their own design.
How do you approach God’s Word? May we join the psalmist in saying, “Lord, I am your servant. Give me understanding of Your Word.”
November 24, 2017
The psalmist spoke not of the Lord, but directly to Him. Not, “He is my portion,” but “O Lord, You are my portion!” He had already made the determined choice to “keep” the Lord’s words. Now he recognized that his “portion,” his inheritance, for such a Word-committed-life was the Lord Himself. As Jesus told His disciples, “If you love Me, you will keep My Words” (John 14:15). Following the Lord’s Word, we are able to say, “I am the Lord’s and He is mine!” This is not seeking the Lord’s hands, but rather seeking His face. We obey not out of fear, nor from a motivation of profit, but out of sincere love. As the lyrics to the old spiritual song declare, “Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, but give me Jesus.”
November 22, 2017
Psalm 119 is an acrostic based on the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It’s theme is appropriately the Word of God. Every verse is an ode to the Scriptures. In verse 24, the psalmist described the Word as God’s “testimonies” and as his own “counselors.” This is a wonderful insight. For the Bible is first of all a book about God. It contains His “testimonies,” progressively revealing His character and purposes. The psalmist found “delight” in this. Secondly, the Bible is a book of instruction, offering counsel to those who would follow it. The psalmist considered the Bible the most reliable and trusted source for wisdom and direction. Each book, chapter and verse of Scripture were as personal “counselors” to him.
How do you read the Bible? Do you look to see what new insight it reveals about God? Do you prayerfully consider how to apply it to a particular area of your life? Do you delight in the Lord’s testimonies and counsel?