March 3
Reading: Psalm 119:113-176
113 I hate the double-minded,
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.
121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the LORD to act,
for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law.
137 Righteous are you, O LORD,
and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies
in righteousness and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
145 With my whole heart I cry;
answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151 But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.
153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;
give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
Psalm 119 is made up of 22 stanzas, each with 16 lines, each beginning with a subsequent letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The psalmist is recounting all the glories of God’s Words from “aleph” to “tav,” in English from A to Z. Today we will read the final eight stanzas.
Let us consider what might be the thought-theme of each stanza. The following are suggestions:
vss. 113-120 Your Word sustains the righteous and destroys the wicked.
vss. 121-128 I treasure Your words more than anything else because they are true.
vss. 129-136 I desperately desire to know Your Word so that I do not stray from You.
vss. 137-144 Your Word, O Lord, is always right, true, and delightful.
vss. 145-152 Your Word, O Lord, gives me hope, help, and life.
vss. 153-160 You have mercy on those who love Your Word, O Lord, and You rescue them.
vss. 161-168 I love Your Word and keep Your Word, O Lord, therefore You save me.
vss. 169-176 Please help me to know and understand Your Word, O Lord.
Today, write your own summary sentences for each stanza.
Do you desire to know and obey the Word of God this much? If you do you will invest your time accordingly. You will make a plan to read, study, and memorize God’s Word. Then you will arrange your life so that you can keep your plan, with accountability, possibly with others. Do you have such a plan?
The person who loves God’s Word, the Bible, will make for themselves a plan for study. To get ideas, you might visit with someone who you know is a diligent student of the Word. To implement that plan you will need to set aside a daily time and place, alone or with others who also have a plan for Bible study. You should keep a record or journal of your Scripture study to help you remember what you learn. Do this every day and, in just a few years, you will realize that you have made great progress.
Finally, write 16 more lines about how God’s Word blesses you in your life.