UNAKITE
UNCHANGING PRECEPTS
PSALM
119:161-168
ש
(Shin)
Psalm
119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in
awe of thy word.
Psalm
119:161 (Berean Study Bible) Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart
fears only Your word.
Susie: The
psalmist was being pursued and persecuted unjustly by princes, those who should
have been seeking justice. However, he did not fear them because he was in awe
of something and Someone far greater.
Susan: The
psalmist feared the One true God who gave him life and breath, and the commands
and precepts that He had given to men to obey.
The
Treasury of David by Charles H. Spurgeon as quoted at https://biblehub.com/psalms/119-161.htm
He
might have been overcome by awe of the princes had it not been that a greater
fear drove out the less, and he was swayed by awe of God's word. How little do
crowns and sceptres become in the judgment of that man who perceives a more
majestic royalty in the commands of his God. We are not likely to be
disheartened by persecution, or driven by it into sin, if the word of God
continually has supreme power over our minds.
Psalm
119:162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
Psalm
119:162 (VOICE) I celebrate because of Your promise, like someone who discovers
great treasure.
Susie: The
word of God was precious, really priceless, to the psalmist.
Susan: He was
ecstatic and rejoiced over the rich wealth of the promises of God, and exuded
overwhelming joy. He trusted in these promises and was certain of their
fulfillment in his life. Therefore, he celebrated.
Susie: He was
a one-man party!
Jeremiah
15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the
joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of
hosts.
Psalm
119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Susan: If we
are loyal to our First Love, Jesus, who is The Truth (John 14:6), how can we
possibly approve of lies? We can’t. We must detest deceit.
Romans
12:9 (CJB) Don’t let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and
cling to what is good.
Susie: The
psalmist reaffirms his love of God’s commands over and over in Psalm 119. We
would do well to be like him and think of what we have read in the Bible
throughout the day!
Psalm
119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalm
119:164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Susan: In scripture,
the number seven denotes completion, perfection, maturity. The psalmist is
stating that when he trusts in the word of God, he is in a continual attitude
of joy-filled praise.
Susie: His
life is made complete by God and His promises. He, therefore, praises more
perfectly.
1
Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything
give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Psalm
119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend
them.
Psalm
119:165 (VOICE) Those who love Your law have an abundance of peace, and nothing
along their paths can cause them to stumble.
Susie: The
world is filled with trials, tribulations, and afflictions; but those who trust
in the word of God are not shaken by them. They have His peace that surpasses
understanding.
Philippians
4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
Isaiah
26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because
he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah
32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of
righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
Susan: No
opposition that arises will be able to misdirect the one who knows and trusts
in God’s word. God will keep that person on the right path.
Proverbs
3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Psalm
119:166 Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation,
and done thy commandments.
Susan: The
psalmist expectantly awaited his deliverance, both temporal and eternal. His
hope propelled him in the pursuit and execution of God’s commands.
Susie: When
we place our trust in Jesus, we are enabled and encouraged by the Holy Spirit
within us to obey God’s word.
1
John 2:3-4 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him.
Psalm
119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
Susie: The
psalmist does not view God’s word and the keeping of the commandments as a
burden.
Susan: Instead,
the word serves as his anchor, keeping him steady in times of turmoil. It
centers him, keeping him focused on the right things. Therefore, he is steadfast
and immovable.
John
14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and
will manifest myself to him.
John
15:9-10 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my
love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Susie: When
we love the Lord and follow His ways, we discover that His commands are for our
good and His glory. We understand that our Father knows what is best for us and
come to love what we previously viewed as restrictions. We now know that His
commands keep us safe and grant us peace. His laws are the sheepfold that keeps
out the wolves and keeps the sheep safe within the Shepherd’s control.
Psalm
119:168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are
before thee.
Susan: God is
tenderly, carefully watching over us.
Susie: He
sees everything we do. That may scare you, but if you know Him as your Heavenly
Father, you should find it comforting. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Susan: We
cannot hide from God and should be motivated to be obedient to Him. On the
other hand, He sees when we are honoring Him and rewards us. God is so
intimately acquainted with us that He sees the intentions and motivations of
our hearts. It is not just the things we do with our physical members. He looks
upon our hearts and knows the real person inside.
Hebrews
4:13 (J. B. Phillips) For the Word that God speaks is alive and active; it cuts
more keenly than any two-edged sword: it strikes through to the place where
soul and spirit meet, to the innermost intimacies of a man’s being: it exposes
the very thoughts and motives of a man’s heart. No creature has any cover from
the sight of God; everything lies naked and exposed before the eyes of him with
whom we have to do.
Matthew
6:3-6 (NIV) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing, so that your
giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,
will reward you. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they
love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by
others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you
pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Points
to Ponder:
· Fear
of the Lord and trust in His word enables us to be free from fear of people
· God’s
word should be our treasure and cause us to rejoice
· If we
love God, we cannot love falsehood
· God
perfects our praise as we understand His word
· God’s
word gives us peace and helps us to stand firm
· If we
love God, we will love and obey His word
· God
sees all—the times we fail and the times we bring honor to His name
Reflection
Question: God’s word is unchanging and unchangeable. We can stand on
it as our solid foundation and obeying it brings great peace. He watches over
those who love Him, keeps them on the right path, and protects them. Are you
keenly aware of God’s presence at all times, that all is naked and bare before
Him? If you need a reminder, grab a small child and sing, “Be careful little
eyes what you see…for the Father up above, is looking down in love.” Don’t
forget that it is a loving look, not one of scorn and judgment.
In case you don’t remember the
song, click this link:
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