PSALM 119:121-128 PRICELESS PEARLS

PRICELESS PEARLS

PSALM 119:121-128

ע (‘Ayin)

Psalm 119:121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Susan: The psalmist had followed God’s precepts to the best of his ability, doing justice and judging fairly.

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Susie: He cries out to the Lord to consider his obedience and not leave him at the mercy of those trying to oppress him.

Susan: Since the psalmist had not been an oppressor, his expectation is that the Lord would not allow others to succeed in oppressing him.

Psalm 119:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Susie: He asks the Lord Himself to be the guarantee for him. Ephesians speaks of the Holy Spirit as “earnest” as in the money to reserve a house, and Hebrews refers to Jesus as our “surety.” God knows the psalmist’s heart as well as his actions and can vouch for him. Then again, he implores the Lord to not let arrogant ones keep him down.

Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Psalm 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Susan: The psalmist is straining so hard to look forward to the salvation of the Lord that he is almost figuratively blinded. He is pregnant with anticipation, but he feels the Lord’s deliverance is drastically delayed.

Susie: This could be interpreted as the temporal deliverance from his enemies and/or the future deliverance purchased by the blood of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

Susan: The psalmist realizes his need of God’s mercy and grace. God could justly extinguish any of us at any moment. We all need His mercy.

Susie: Even though the psalmist has tried to act justly and to obey the Law, he humbly admits that he falls short and needs further instruction in the Word from the Lord. He continually realizes the immense worth of the Scripture.

Susan: He is imploring the Lord to instruct him, to mentor him in His ways through the Word.

Psalm 119:125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

Susie: The psalmist, who some scholars believe to be King David, again exhibits humility in referring to himself as God’s “servant.”

Susan: He is positioning himself at the feet of the Lord, soaking up wisdom and understanding of the Word imparted to him.

Susie: When Mary did this, her sister Martha complained to Jesus that she was being left to do all the serving of the guests by herself. But Jesus replied:

Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Psalm 119:126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.

Susie: Even though the psalmist humbles himself before God, he boldly reminds the Lord it is time to act either in his behalf or against the lawless ones in judgment.

Susan: I am reminded of a couple of passages where the Lord invites His people to reason with Him and to present their case in order to be delivered (Isaiah 1:16-20 and Isaiah 43:26).

Susie: As followers of Jesus, we have bold access to the throne of God through Jesus as our High Priest:

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Susan: Scripture has a value far above all the purest gold of the earth.

Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Susie: As we said in our introduction, Psalm 119 contains many precious gems of scripture. We need to value the word higher than silver, gold, or diamonds. Jesus compared the kingdom of Heaven to a “pearl of great price” Matthew 13:45-46. The words of God that lead us to Heaven are also “priceless pearls.”

Psalm 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

Susan: The psalmist recognizes that every word of God is true and that all of scripture is a puzzle that when fitted together reveals the Father’s divine plan for His children.

Susie: Scripture reveals truth, and anything contrary to God’s word is a false way to be avoided and despised. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Points to Ponder:

·     The Lord Himself is our guarantee that what He has promised will be fulfilled

·     Sometimes the wait seems long, but the Lord always delivers His children

·     The Lord enables us to understand and obey His word

·     The word of God is more precious than the most valuable metal or rarest gemstone

·     If we esteem God’s word, we will flee false ways

Reflection Question: Do you view your Bible as a priceless treasure? How do your actions reflect the value you place on the word of God? Are you treasuring it up in your heart (Psalm 119:11) or is it gathering dust on your coffee table or shelf?