NOTES for Psa 119:40-79
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. |
41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. |
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. |
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. |
44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. |
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. |
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. |
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. |
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. |
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. |
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. |
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. |
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. |
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. |
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. |
55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. |
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts. |
57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. |
58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. |
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. |
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. |
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. |
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. |
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. |
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. |
65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. |
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. |
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. |
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. |
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. |
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. |
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. |
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. |
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. |
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. |
75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. |
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. |
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. |
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. |
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. |
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Whoever seeks the Lord's commandments will walk in freedom. This dialectic is difficult for many people to accept, both for opponents of biblical Revelation and for those of its supporters who would like to take refuge in religiosity from the difficulties of the daily freedom of choice, which entails responsibility for the results of one's choice. But adherence to clear principles is not at all the same as formal discipline that frees one from making decisions. Fidelity to principles provides criteria that exclude what leads away from the right path, and in the end fidelity prevents the “forces of everyday life” from enslaving us.
The psalmist has not memorized rules of conduct or merely taken note of them; he wants to delight in Your commandments, which he has loved. Fidelity is not only the result of a rational decision but encompasses every aspect of the person: emotional and volitional as well... It is entirely natural that God's word is called life-giving here. It truly gives the strength to stand firm even when proud enemies mock a person who remains faithful to God and weave lies against him. Nor can it be accidental that pride and falsehood are mentioned side by side: they have one source, a common instigator.
Readings for 17 April 2019
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